Written by Martin Luther King Jr.
Adapted by Melissa Gillespie (for a "Teachable Moment" that has inspired me more than it probably will them)
…I cannot walk alone.
And as I walk, I must make the pledge that I shall always march ahead.
I cannot turn back…
…I keep in mind that I have been through trials and tribulations… I have endured much loss and defeat. I lived in a town that said I would never leave and a society that said I would never graduate high school. I came from a society that said I wouldn’t attempt to go to college and that I would never pass up my peers. I came from a grandfather that only went to school through 8th grade and who let me fill out his checks in middle school because he couldn’t see or read it. I came from a family who only saw that girls get pregnant, then married. I came from a family with underpaid jobs but were the hardest workers, and the one red light town that I grew up in said I wouldn’t make it… but I go back knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
I will not sit in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though I face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and care for those who are without rather than worrying about war and money and spending… that our country would take more pride in the people that we invest in and what they need, rather than what we get out of it.
I have a dream that one day in the place that I came from that people will stand together, rather than a part and will work toward a cause, not toward hatred.
I have a dream that one day even those that are seen as the greatest hate crime offenders and those who cannot stand in the same room as someone different will work together for a greater good and will achieve what Mother Teresa considered the most important work… love.
I have a dream that my family will one day adopt children from other countries and places and different backgrounds where they will grow to learn, love, and appreciate other cultures, languages, foods, and most importantly, that they would learn to value people and the families and traditions that they know well from their past.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day students will learn to get along and it will not matter what city they came from, what color their skin is, what color their t-shirt is, how expensive their clothes were and what kind of music that they listen to, that they will stand together and work toward a greater cause… that they will not be held back by what the world believes about them, that they will initiate change, that they will not accuse and excuse the hatred the world, that they will not be silent, that they will have a voice, one louder than has ever been heard, and they will not settle, that they will reach their goals and work toward higher ones, that they will not lower themselves to the expectations of other people, that they will remember the greater cause and work toward that, that they will be remembered as a generation who made a difference, not the empathetic, no good things that so many people have forced them to believe they are.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day grace will be extended to all people that they may know a love deeper and greater than they have ever felt or experienced, that they will know freedom because they have tasted and seen it and felt it flowing through their veins like blood and they will take into consideration those that are longing for the same love and they will extend that love and grace to them.
This is my hope and faith. With this faith we, together, will be able to beat the odds and come together to understand one another.
This will be the day when all men are free, that no one has to work out of debt or despair and that no child has to thirst or hunger, and that no woman has to worry about being degraded by a man or group of people who do not value her because she is “just a woman.”
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing the words of the old spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Good Morning 2010! My, How You've Changed!
Every year since 2000, New Year's has been a source of anxiety for me.... what will it be like? How will the world change? How will I change? What will be said of me? How will I respond? Etc. However, when in the year 2000 came, I began my 2nd semester of my 9th grade year, had my first crush on a senior (who is still an absolute amazing guy), went to my first homecoming dance, flew on a plane for the first time, got my driver's license and became a Believer in Christ. How was I to know that one year could hold so much? I am expecting only more this year because my life has changed so much over the past decade (holy cow... 10 years ago I was in my first year in high school), I graduated high school and college, moved away to go to college, moved away from college, got into my career as a teacher, traveled to Europe and Africa (and even to the Middle East unexpectedly), went to 3 Proms, lived in a city that no one could have ever imagined I would live in, and now I spend most of my life pouring it back into 13 and 14 year olds just like I was 10 years ago and I love it.
I can only believe that 2010 will be amazing. I mean really, it started out by Delta giving me a 1st class seat because I've flown so much recently. My resolutions for the new year seem to be carried over from recent years... some being met, some not so much... However here goes...
1. Speak out for those who have no voice in my classroom, to my friends, to people who want to help.
2. Share my beliefs and my God with someone who has no beliefs and no hope.
3. Be hope and light and encouragement to at least 20 people, even with a simple smile, a simple handshake or a meal.
4. Be a good listener... realize that the world doesn't have to stop and listen to everything I say... but sometimes someone else needs me to listen.
5. Laugh... and laugh and laugh and laugh until I cry.
6. Be available and usable where I am found, where I live, where I am.
7. Complain less... and be positive more.
8. Love the unlovable and the unwanted and the hurt.
9. Travel somewhere else, somewhere uncomfortable, but somewhere that God wants me.
10. Be the change I wish to see in the world. I'm not giving up on this one and I thought that Gandhi had no idea what he was saying when he said this but maybe he did.
Happy 2010 to you and may you work hard to make a difference in the coming year!
-Melis
I can only believe that 2010 will be amazing. I mean really, it started out by Delta giving me a 1st class seat because I've flown so much recently. My resolutions for the new year seem to be carried over from recent years... some being met, some not so much... However here goes...
1. Speak out for those who have no voice in my classroom, to my friends, to people who want to help.
2. Share my beliefs and my God with someone who has no beliefs and no hope.
3. Be hope and light and encouragement to at least 20 people, even with a simple smile, a simple handshake or a meal.
4. Be a good listener... realize that the world doesn't have to stop and listen to everything I say... but sometimes someone else needs me to listen.
5. Laugh... and laugh and laugh and laugh until I cry.
6. Be available and usable where I am found, where I live, where I am.
7. Complain less... and be positive more.
8. Love the unlovable and the unwanted and the hurt.
9. Travel somewhere else, somewhere uncomfortable, but somewhere that God wants me.
10. Be the change I wish to see in the world. I'm not giving up on this one and I thought that Gandhi had no idea what he was saying when he said this but maybe he did.
Happy 2010 to you and may you work hard to make a difference in the coming year!
-Melis
Monday, December 28, 2009
Do Not Forget...
(This is from a couple of months ago) I was looking through Micah's pictures from Africa today looking for sunset pictures and I was just thinking about how grateful being in Africa made me. I have come back to the U.S. for 4 months now and it seems that I so quickly forget the lessons learned so this serves as a reminder to me as well as to you of some of the things that I learned in Africa that I cannot allow myself to forget.
Do Not Forget...
...that sunsets are not created because of smog, pollution, and global warming... God created it...
...that schools have resources even if they just have enough teachers for each class to have only 40 students...
...that life it too short to miss small smiles...
...that life is too short to even think I could make it a moment without prayer...
...that hospitals hold too many hurting, need healing people who also just need a friend...
...that races must be ran and won...
...that there are some classrooms in the world who have 70 kids and they do not get paid and they still smile...
...that people are people... they hurt, heal, cry, smile, frown... and they need other people... just like we do...
...that children have been created to be loved not to love... they need someone to hold their hand, pick up their stuff, and sometimes pick them up and hug them...
...sometimes we just need someone to play with our hair and not look at it in the mirror...
...a smile goes a million miles and a pictures is a thousand words and sometimes those words need to be heard...
...it is important to say what you need to say even if you know it's going to be awkward or just not right... it needs to be said... say it.
Never forget how important and valuable life and how quickly it could be gone. Love those you have been given and smile at those who need it and give a dollar to the lady who asks for it... because it could have been you and somehow it's not.
-Melis
Do Not Forget...
...that sunsets are not created because of smog, pollution, and global warming... God created it...
...that schools have resources even if they just have enough teachers for each class to have only 40 students...
...that life it too short to miss small smiles...
...that life is too short to even think I could make it a moment without prayer...
...that hospitals hold too many hurting, need healing people who also just need a friend...
...that races must be ran and won...
...that there are some classrooms in the world who have 70 kids and they do not get paid and they still smile...
...that people are people... they hurt, heal, cry, smile, frown... and they need other people... just like we do...
...that children have been created to be loved not to love... they need someone to hold their hand, pick up their stuff, and sometimes pick them up and hug them...
...sometimes we just need someone to play with our hair and not look at it in the mirror...
...a smile goes a million miles and a pictures is a thousand words and sometimes those words need to be heard...
...it is important to say what you need to say even if you know it's going to be awkward or just not right... it needs to be said... say it.
Never forget how important and valuable life and how quickly it could be gone. Love those you have been given and smile at those who need it and give a dollar to the lady who asks for it... because it could have been you and somehow it's not.
-Melis
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ode to Christmas Traditions
If your family is any kind of crazy like mine, you have Christmas traditions, maybe normal, maybe not so much but the list of the day of course is about Christmas traditions. We don't have that many, but I think they make for a list.
1. Tris and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, except this year, she told me I can't have all of it on Christmas Eve, what the what.
2. Chocolate pie for dessert at Gammy's.
3. Cole sticking his finger in the chocolate pie at Gammy's and then me and Trista almost beating him up for it.
4. Gammy's dinner prayers while everyone has already started eating.
5. Stories of what life was like for Grandpa when he was younger.
6. Christmas morning videos and gifts.
7. Watching the Christmas story and whatever other movie or TV show marathon is on.
8. Quoting Elf while in a store before Christmas.
9. Christmas breakfast at Noon.
10. Gammy and Poppa coming to see our Christmas presents, yes we are 23 and 25, but age is a little overrated.
11. Mom and Daddy arguing because "they weren't supposed to get anything for the other one."
12. Mom crying or tearing up because of a gift that Tris and I get her.
13. Dad being a goof (oh wait, that's not just a Christmas tradition, it's year round.)
I'm sure there are more things but I can't think of anymore right now. And of course after Christmas shopping... so excited for that! So to all of you celebrating Christmas and the holidays, I hope that you have a merry one with those you love and drive you crazy! Merry Christmas!
-Melis
1. Tris and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, except this year, she told me I can't have all of it on Christmas Eve, what the what.
2. Chocolate pie for dessert at Gammy's.
3. Cole sticking his finger in the chocolate pie at Gammy's and then me and Trista almost beating him up for it.
4. Gammy's dinner prayers while everyone has already started eating.
5. Stories of what life was like for Grandpa when he was younger.
6. Christmas morning videos and gifts.
7. Watching the Christmas story and whatever other movie or TV show marathon is on.
8. Quoting Elf while in a store before Christmas.
9. Christmas breakfast at Noon.
10. Gammy and Poppa coming to see our Christmas presents, yes we are 23 and 25, but age is a little overrated.
11. Mom and Daddy arguing because "they weren't supposed to get anything for the other one."
12. Mom crying or tearing up because of a gift that Tris and I get her.
13. Dad being a goof (oh wait, that's not just a Christmas tradition, it's year round.)
I'm sure there are more things but I can't think of anymore right now. And of course after Christmas shopping... so excited for that! So to all of you celebrating Christmas and the holidays, I hope that you have a merry one with those you love and drive you crazy! Merry Christmas!
-Melis
Monday, December 14, 2009
"Negative Nancy" starring Me... and the Sequel "Positive Polly" also starring Me
A list of negative things that I complain about on a regular basis, or things that just annoy me that I don't verbally complain about, just with body langugage...
1. Stupid people saying stupid things
2. Ungrateful people
3. People that can't drive
4. People that don't know to merge
5. Students who don't know how to keep their mouths closed
6. People who do drugs and then yell at other people
7. Dirty dishes
8. Whiners... whining about people who whine and things that make other people whine
9. People who don't say the pledge
10. Bossy people who are lazy
11. People who are lazy in general
12. When my heel gets stuck in the crack of the sidewalk
13. Popping gum
On that note, I'll make a list of positive things...
1. My own bed to sleep in
2. Money to buy the things I need
3. Great cards
4. Bookstores
5. Sweet things that people say or send in text messages
6. Getting flowers
7. Sincere apologies
8. Being a "homie"
9. Laughing and being with friends
10. Family, holidays, special occasions, home.
Happy Holidays!
-Melis
1. Stupid people saying stupid things
2. Ungrateful people
3. People that can't drive
4. People that don't know to merge
5. Students who don't know how to keep their mouths closed
6. People who do drugs and then yell at other people
7. Dirty dishes
8. Whiners... whining about people who whine and things that make other people whine
9. People who don't say the pledge
10. Bossy people who are lazy
11. People who are lazy in general
12. When my heel gets stuck in the crack of the sidewalk
13. Popping gum
On that note, I'll make a list of positive things...
1. My own bed to sleep in
2. Money to buy the things I need
3. Great cards
4. Bookstores
5. Sweet things that people say or send in text messages
6. Getting flowers
7. Sincere apologies
8. Being a "homie"
9. Laughing and being with friends
10. Family, holidays, special occasions, home.
Happy Holidays!
-Melis
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Things That Make My Job Worth It...
No need to explain. I'm a teacher and most of you know that so here goes.
1. Students celebrating my birthday as if it's the only one I'll have for a few years... balloons, posters, cards, flowers, chocolate, cake, chocolate, singing, it was wonderful.
2. To sit at a computer with J while he tells me the reason that Rosa Parks made an impact on the people around her and how he can make a difference because of what he knows about her.
3. How many students are interested in how Jesus impacted the planet and people.
4. Days that students apologize for what they did and actually mean it and do something about it.
5. Parents who care enough to send flowers with their kids to say thank you to me for what I do.
6. Notes of encouragement telling me the reason that I influence students.
7. J (different than number 2) sitting next to my desk declaring himself my student aide and beginning to be a change. This J also is a Christian who has for some reason decided it is part of his job to tell other people that I am one too.
8. B- she wants to make a difference in the world and she actually does it and I admire that about her.
9. Bruno, one of my students from last year, who visited the other day and just hung out for a while... it's so nice to catch up.
10. Students who realize they are leaders and have confidence enough to do something about it.
11. Good evaluations that tell me I'm doing what I'm supposed to and rewards for good lesson plans, etc.
12. Faces that they make to make me laugh when I am not feeling so good... because we know for sure it happens and they are hilarious when it does.
13. Just them.. when they think about someone else, do something nice for someone, take up for someone, and have my back... it just helps my day be better!
What makes what you do worth it? Just think about it!
-Melis
1. Students celebrating my birthday as if it's the only one I'll have for a few years... balloons, posters, cards, flowers, chocolate, cake, chocolate, singing, it was wonderful.
2. To sit at a computer with J while he tells me the reason that Rosa Parks made an impact on the people around her and how he can make a difference because of what he knows about her.
3. How many students are interested in how Jesus impacted the planet and people.
4. Days that students apologize for what they did and actually mean it and do something about it.
5. Parents who care enough to send flowers with their kids to say thank you to me for what I do.
6. Notes of encouragement telling me the reason that I influence students.
7. J (different than number 2) sitting next to my desk declaring himself my student aide and beginning to be a change. This J also is a Christian who has for some reason decided it is part of his job to tell other people that I am one too.
8. B- she wants to make a difference in the world and she actually does it and I admire that about her.
9. Bruno, one of my students from last year, who visited the other day and just hung out for a while... it's so nice to catch up.
10. Students who realize they are leaders and have confidence enough to do something about it.
11. Good evaluations that tell me I'm doing what I'm supposed to and rewards for good lesson plans, etc.
12. Faces that they make to make me laugh when I am not feeling so good... because we know for sure it happens and they are hilarious when it does.
13. Just them.. when they think about someone else, do something nice for someone, take up for someone, and have my back... it just helps my day be better!
What makes what you do worth it? Just think about it!
-Melis
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