still remember my grandfather's house built high on a hill with beautiful old oak trees all around it. My grandmother's colorful roses bloomed in the front yard with a wonderful fragrance you could smell from a distance. At night the moon looked so big it would seem you could almost reach out and touch it.

I lived only a mile from grandfather's house, so it was a pleasure to walk up the hill to see him. He had a love for music and would sometimes bring out his old fiddle and play a tune for me. He also loved to tap dance and would show me a few of the old steps he used to do on the stage.

In the summer the family would all gather at the picnic table under the big old oak tree and eat watermelon from his garden. He loved working in his gardem amd gave is fresh vegetables for my mother to cook. Those were wonderful lazy, hot summer days that seemed to go on forever.

My grandfather raised chickens and had a wooden chicken coop behind his house. He was a chicken trainer and taught his chickens to do tricks. His chickens would put their wings over their heads when he said, "Shame on you." They would bow their heads in shame. They also knew they had to run around the chicken coop seven times before they were fed. I loved to watch my grandfather with his chickens.

When I was older, my grandfather had a way of knowing when I felt bad. In his quiet way he would hand me a coke and tell me how much better I was going to feel after I drank a "cold one" as he called it.

All too soon the years flew by, and my grandfather was growing older. The day they laid him to rest was one of the saddest days of my life. As we drove away from the cemetery, I knew I would never forget him.

Sometimes when I least expect it, I can hear the sweet sound of a fiddle playing softly in my mind and hear a voice whispering, "Here's a cold one for you so you'll feel better."

will give the names of these two extraordinary people at the end. One read a book by Frank Laubach. It talked about teaching. She was in the seventh grade and said this is what I would like to do. Then when she had been to college and had a job with adult education in this book by Frank Laubach came up. She is going to school at the U.V.A. now, and still teaching adult education. She likes her job. We, her students like her very much. She makes us want to learn. Linda is the type of person that is very easy going but a motivating force. She knows that everyone is not on the same level. She is not pushy but helpful, letting you set a pace but keeping you going. I will stop here and go to the next teacher.

This teacher, when she was in school, worked in the library for free to get experience in the library format. When she was fourteen she started to get paid for this work. She has three children that have had her support from the time they could reason to this date. Her husband is very proud of her achievements. She is going to Piedmont Va. Community College and teaching at Jefferson PreSchool She also works a part-time job at Kroger.

So you can see why I think these two teachers are extraordinary people.

Both of these teachers have helped me in my quest for knowledge. The first teacher is my adult ed teacher Linda Dukes, and the second is my wife Cynthia Carter. They are extraordinary individuals...THANKS!

I have analyzed these people and I realize that being good has many benefits. I like meeting good people that want to help me. I try to be the best person I can be. I want to be the best father in the world and I want to help other people in everything I can. What I have been doing is being honest, going to church and learning about God. I help in church and teach kids Sunday school. I help people find work. These are some of the things that I do.

I have met a group of people that are volunteering to help people like me, and I want to thank you all. With their help, I learned how to learn and that makes me happy. I know now how to study and things come easier for me.

My mother is sixty-five years old. It was very difficult for her at times to keep up with the growing demands of my children (two boys and a girl.) Not only did she have to provide them with food, clothing, and shelter; she also gave them much love.

My mother played a major role in our lives. My mother raised my children and me from childhood to adulthood. My mother instilled morals, values, and principles in us. My mother's love was undying and unconditional, because when it came to loving her own, there's no limitation. My mother loves with an overwhelming passion. It is that same passion that makes me love her even more.

In a very secret place in my soul, I felt I did not deserve my mother's love because of my using poor judgement and going to prison for a long time away from my children. However, not once did my mother turn her back on me. When I knew in my heart that I left my children on her, it felt like such a contradiction. There were times I cried because of my being absent.

My mother is still here for me, not because she understands me, but because she loves me unconditionally. It was only by the grace of God that she found the strength to take care of my children and herself.

My mother is not getting any younger. I intend wholeheartedly to be there for my mother in every aspect in my life. I say to my mother, "Mother, there is no greater love than the love I have in my heart for you." You are my hero and if you were to leave me here on earth alone, please know you are in every fiber of my existence, and you will live forever in my heart. Yes, mother, you are my hero."

Selfishness gets you nowhere. At first I didn't understand what she meant, but as the years went by, I came to understand a lot better. If only I would have listened to my mother, today I wouldn't be here. She used to always tell me a hard head makes a soft behind. I know now what she meant. I'm very blessed to have her as my mother. She is the best woman any child can ask for.

Whether you figured it out or not, my everyday hero is my mother, and I wouldn't trade her for all the land in the world. One day I'm going to take care of her just like she took care of my sister and me. I'm not going to do it to be a hero, but just to let her know how much I love and appreciate her doing and taking care of me the way she did. But that's not all, she's still doing what she does best, because now she's taking care of my daughter while I'm here to do my time in Fluvanna. And that's my story of an everyday hero.

When I was 22 years old, I learned that I have cervical cancer and needed an operation. Through all my pain and suffering, he was there by my side. All I had to do was to turn my head to the side, and he was there with the most loving smile on his face. He took my hand and said, "Honey, don't cry; we'll beat this thing." And you know what? I did! With all my prayers, along with my dad's love, I did it.

Later I got mixed up with some bad company and started using drugs and stealing to buy more. My dad told me to stop hanging around with them and to leave the drugs alone; I wish now I had listened to him because I got into trouble with the law. I'm now serving a seven-year term in a correctional center. My dad has been strong; even through all of this he has stuck by my side every step of the way. Since I've been here, I've learned that I have Hepatitis C and that my liver is failing me. When my dad learned about it, he broke down and for the first time I saw him cry. I couldn't help but cry myself. Then he took my hand and said "Honey, we'll get through this." I looked into his eyes and heard him say "together." I call home to him every Sunday to let him know that I'm all right, and I can hear the love in his voice over the phone each time I call. Sometimes, when I'm alone and thinking about going home, my dad crosses my mind and I'm reminded of all I've gone through and that each time my dad has been by my side.

I know he loves me very much. He's strong and self-willed, but sometimes I can't help but to wonder who helps dad when he feels like he can't go on. That has crossed my mind more than once. One day when I was feeling especially bad, I called home so I could hear my dad's voice. I knew when I had heard his voice that I would feel better; I always do. I asked my dad, "Dad, you've always been there for me whenever I needed you, but whom do you turn to when you need someone?" I heard his voice over the phone say, "Jesus. I turn to Jesus." And I asked him, "Does it help?" He said, "Yes, Jesus loves me. Just like I love you, Jesus loves everyone..."

I had done some illegal things and I got caught. I was using drugs really bad. I could not afford them, so I started stealing checks. I was using a lot of cocaine on a daily basis. I had gotten to where I would only eat once or twice a day. I would go to very dangerous places to obtain my drugs. There were times I would not even go home for days to check on my parents, who also had my children. I was killing myself, not to mention I was worrying my family day and night. So when I finally went to court, Judge Clark sentenced me to prison time.

The reason I think of him as a hero is because I would most likely be dead from using drugs or going to the places to get drugs. I may have been killed doing the things that I was doing to get drugs. I'm not mad at him, as most people would be. In my heart, he is the true hero in my life, because I know I would not be around to be with my family, and now I'll have the chance to be reunited with them real soon.

I hope in this story I have told you how my judge was a hero to me. If he would not have given me the sentence he did, there is no telling how my life would have ended up.

The work included several jobs such as:

• to repair playing instrument
• to paint play instrument
• to clean play lots

In the case of repairing, I thought they would use only simple tools, but the team brought a big machine with engine to dig big hole for fixing a playing instrument.

In the case of painting, we started to remove rust with steel brush. We spent a lot of time for removing and next weekend we painted all playing instrument. After painting those playing instrument became as if new ones. We cleaned three lots including one basketball court, two wide playgrounds for kids. AFter the work we invited children at that area to barbecue party at the playground. Although we spend two Saturdays and we were very tired, it was nice experience for us.

Freida would lie near us to watch us play, then she would join in and play with us. Freida was very protective of us.

One day we went to the park to play. We were having a good time, then a boy came up and tried to fight with me. Freida let the boy know she was there. She growled at him and he went up a tree so fast that we laughed.

We were put out of the park for two weeks because the park supervisor thought Freida was a vicious dog. But, she was just protecting us.

When we went back to the park again after the two weeks, we never had trouble from that boy again. Freida behaved herself so the park supervisor let her stay with us.

Freida was a German Shepherd. Sometimes she slept on the floor, but, she usually slept on my bed. Freida was a registered dog and we had the papers for her. I really liked Freida.

Then one day Freida was gone. My parents gave her to someone in the country. I found out later that Freida had killed someone's chicken. We all missed her after that. Who would protect us and love us?

Now, many years later, I have a black Lab named Lady, and a Rotweiler by the name of Rocky. Because of Freida protecting us in the park, I have always liked dogs.

However, I feel that my mom has gone a little further than that. She has never judged me. She has always listened to me, no matter what I had to say. She has always stood by my decisions. If they didn't work out, she would always be there to tell me it was going to be all right. She always has her favorite saying, "This too shall pass."

I also feel that I get a lot of strength by watching the type of person my mom is. She is a determined woman. For example, when my sisters and I were young, money was very tight for my parents. My mom decided to take on a night job so she could be home with us during the day. I would see her leave for work some nights so tired, but she never let us down.

When my sisters and I got a little older, my mom decided to go back to work full time. She started out doing secretarial work. Her boss realized how responsible my mom was, so he sent her to college for an accounting course. She did very well in this course. In time my mom was practically running the office. Everyone in her office had a lot of respect for her. But with everything going on in her life, she never lost insight to her family and our needs.

When my mom retired, she and my dad decided to move down to Virginia. They bought a big house so there was plenty of room for my sisters and me to visit. My mom, even though she was retired, felt that she wanted to do more with her life. So she felt it would make her feel good to volunteer at the hospital with sick patients. She really enjoyed that. I feel it takes a very special person to do something like that.

However, she had to stop volunteering at the hospital. She started to get a lot of pain in her knee. She then found out she needed a knee replacement. After her operation, she continued her volunteer work. Then the pain came back again, and once again she had to go back to the hospital for more knee surgery. After her last surgery, she noticed a lot of pain in her back. When I took her to the Doctor's, we found out she is going to need spinal surgery.

I could see how upset my mom was when she got the news. I reassured my mom that everything was going to be all right. I do feel that I did put my mom's mind at ease. I felt with all the love my mom has taught me, I knew how to give that love and reassurance back to her.

If you look in the dictionary under hero, it describes my mom.

HERO:

A. Mythological or legendary figure, often of definite descent endowed with great strength or ability;...C. Man (woman) admired for her achievements and qualities; D. One that shows great courage.

When I was a small child, my mother and father separated. My mother found herself alone with three young children. There was no one but her and us children. The one thing she knew was, we children had to be provided for.

If my memory serves me correctly, Mother was working a full time job. She decided we needed more to survive. Mother's dream was to become a Respiratory Therapist, so she applied for a grant to go back to school.

As I was saying, Mother is a wonderful person. Not only is she wonderful, she's remarkable too. Finally after what seemed like forever, she received word that her grant had been awarded. This was wonderful news. Our lives were about to make great changes.

Mother began her calsses and was still working too. As I can remember, it was a very trying time. Mother had to find childcare for us children, which wasn't easy being there were three of us. Even though it was hard and we didn't seem to have much of anything, the one thing we had was each other.

Years went by and Mother received her degree in Respiratory Therapy. Of course, like most people she started at the bottom and worked her way up. She is doing very well with her career today; in fact, she is a Respiratory Therapist Supervisor.

As for us children, we're all grown now with lives of our own. My mother's going back to school after twenty years has instilled in me the confidence that I, too, can reach for my dream. Mother's experiences and struggles are what make me the strong and determined person I am today.

I now, after twenty years, have gone back to school to pursue my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist. With my mother's example, she has given me the will to survive and succeed. I just hope I can be half the hero for my children that my mother has been for me. She is my confidant, my hero, my mother.

y mother is someone that's a model for me.
She is very observant.
To me, everything she does is terrific.
Most people think of her as a hero.
She encourages me to do well.
The most reliable person I know is my mother.

y dad was my hero,
he was quite a man.
He would always listen to me
and seem to understand.

He was quiet and gentle not a
to say.
But when he spoke I listened,
and heard what he had to say.

He raised four children all by himself.
And did a great job with little or no help.
I know it wasn't easy working everyday.
Wondering what we were doing while he was away.

My dad was a mechanic and a farmer too.
Somehow he managed to feed us and send us to school.
He always taught us right from wrong and the golden rule.
Honest, respect your elders, and truth were among the other rules.

We had elderly neighbors that lived close around.
Every Friday morn my dad took them to town.
They depended on my dad to do the things they could not do.
When my dad said yes, they knew that it was true.

My dad was my hero in many, many ways.
One incident I remember just like it was today.
I was working on my car when the jack gave away.
Down came the car and it fell on me that day.

My dad was eating breakfast when he heard it fall.
But it really didn't dawn on him as to what he had heard at all.
So he waited for a few minutes, then he started calling.
When I didn't answer, he knew the car had fallen.

He saw me lying under the car not able to move about.
So he jacked the car up off of me, then he helped me out.
My arm was hurt the worst, a hole was in my forehead.
The skin was scraped from my right leg and side.
But thanks to God and my hero I was still alive!

He took me t the hospital where I got medical help.
My dad would help me bandage my arm, when I couldn't do it myself.
Then he helped me get my arm and hand where I could use them again.
So now you see he was my hero, my nurse, my dad, and friend!

I lost my dad to cancer on the twentyeighth day of July, nineteen hundred seventy nine.
I lost the best friend, hero and dad that one could hope to find.
I go talk to him and visit, quite often where he is asleep.
My hope is that someday, my dad again I'll meet.

e are prejudged and judged.
Assumed ignorant before we are mature enough to know who we really are.
Never being granted the opportunity to enhance the qualities, the richness of the
treasures buried deep within...
Never filling the void that childhood neglect has left.

Who will free our spirit from this typical example?
Straying away from our purpose.
Lettiong generations of humiliation surface.

We all have a weakness that sometimes plays on our own intelligence.
If we stop thinking so much about the bad things in life,
the good things will shine through.

There is a light that shines within us all.
We need a hero to help bring forth the light.
I am expressing that it is not so much what we want...
but what we need.

We need guidance.
A chance to reflect our own inner beauty.
That's when our heroes come in.

Free us, we ask our heroes, from that place within us that encourages us to follow the
undeserved power from a pressured source that comes from a peer,

of a peer,

of a peer.

That pushes us towards a prison of life's downfalls.

Hero, we call in our depth

At our wits end

On bending knee

We long to be free.

The struggle won't end if we all follow sin.

We cry, but not with tears, but with bottled up fears.
Fears escape lashing out in diguise.
No longer reflecting what we were meant to be.
But introducing the slum of poverty.

In May of 1993, Betty was told she had colon cancer. Her doctors gave her six months to live. She told them they were crazy, that she had too much to live for. Betty took all kinds of treatments.

In July of 1993, Betty wanted to come to Virginia one more time. She was able to come to Virginia. We gave her a big party. All our family and friends were there. We surprised her with our old neighbors from when we were kids they also came. Betty said that was a party she would never forget!

In 1994, Betty was still around and had just as much go power as always. She came to Virginia again, drove in all by herself. If someone else was sick she would worry about them. She would want to help them no matter how bad she felt. She would never turn someone ion need down.

In 1995, Betty was able to see her youngest child graduate. We went to Pennsylvania to his party. We stayed a week and we had a great time. Betty said she had lived to see her dreams come true.

Betty loved to go places and to drive. She wasn't going to let her illness get to her. She came back to Virginia whenever she felt like it. She drove to Texas and Florida all by herself.

In October of 1997, I was talking to Betty on the phone, she was telling me she wanted to come to Virginia. I asked her if her neighbor was coming to Virginia tomorrow to get his daughter. She hung up on me. A few minutes later the phone rang, it was Betty. I'm coming to Virginia, I will be there tomorrow. Betty made it to Virginia, but she was so sick. She stayed two weks and then her husband came after her.

When Betty got home, we talked every other day on the phone. She had gotten worse, she told me not to call anymore. She said she was fine now and she was out of pain. I called everyday, but Betty wasn't able to talk anymore.

Betty died two weeks after she went home. Betty lived four and a half years after she found out she had cancer. She lived every day to its fullness. She said, "If I die, it has to catch me first!" She was almost right.

I would honestly like to say that I wish my parents were a little bit harder on me. But of course, I would say that now because I have kids of my own. I know now how hard it is to be a parent and the changes kids can put you through.

I can remember when things didn't go my way, I used to say I couldn't wait until I turned eighteen. I could leave home, be my own woman, and do what I want to do. But now, I honestly see it's not a cup of tea. Raising kids is not the easiest thing in the world to do.

But I can thank my parents for being the best parents anyone could ever ask for. Just for always being there and assisting me in trying to help me make all the right decisions. I was lucky.

We didn't have a lot of money, but he did hisbest. We never went to bed hungry. We had clothes to wear and shoes on our feet.

He encouraged me to do my best in whatever I wanted to do. Now he would be very happy to know that I have gone back to school and am working on getting my GED and buying a home. I feel sad now because we could really use his advice.

If I needed something for my children and myself and I didn't have the money to get it, he would make sure we got it. He did that for all five of us kids. There was nothing like his grandchildren. He would bounce them on his knee and always made them laugh.

My girls loved him very much. After he passed away, Bridget thought he was cold and hungry. She was his "eyeball." In his eyes she never did any wrong. When she would get punished, Bridget would call him and tell him "Mommy was being bad to her and she wanted to live with him." He would tell her, "Just pack up your things and come live with pa-pa." Brittney would say to him, "You are the best pa-pa in the whole world." He loved hearing things like that.

He was a funny person. One time I remember Mom had a flower on the table. Everyday for a long time, he would cut that flower. He would say, "Those flowers just keep growing." Keep in mind the flowers were not real.

He liked to go fishing a lot. And when he would go fishing, he would fall in the river and lose his false teeth. I remember one time he tried to drown a duck. He did so many funny things. I miss him very much, but I think through my prayers and thoughts, I think he knows that.

My mother was born in Virginia. She left in her teenage years to marry and go to New York for better job opportunities and to raise a family. This is when her life as my hero began. My heroine had six children. I am the second child. At eight years of age I watched my mother handle a situation with a husband (not my father) when he had abused my sister. It really stressed Mom out. I knew that she could overcome anything after dealing with that derelict.

In addition to dealing with her husband, she maintained a family against all the odds. I admired her strength, her abilities, her courage, and most of all her character. One time my mother was so stressed out that she was going into a nervous breakdown. To get out of all the bondage and pain she was in, she worked and acted as normal as she could each and every day. Every day things got worse for her and it showed in her appearance because her hair became thinner and it became gray. Through all of this she accomplished everything she needed to do as a mother and as a friend. Anyone can have sex, but it takes a strong, hardworking, courageous woman to be a mother in the true sense of the word.

Today my heroine, Annie Howell, is still doing a great job in caring for her children. She has four of her grandchildren living with her so my sister can take care of her drug-addiction problem. While going through all these things she is the most loving person in the world. This is why life has made her my heroine for eternity.

She means so much to our family. As an example, she went to court to get custody of my sister's four children (the ones I mentioned earlier.) She really makes a difference in the lives of her children and her grandchildren. In her busy schedule she finds time to talk and spent quality time with her family, no matter what. I love the way she makes time to write to me, discussing things so I don't feel left out because I am not at home. I give her credit for the accomplishments of my sisters and our children. I have a sister who is an R.N., one sister who manages a large department store called Saks Fifth Avenue, and a sister who has a job working with computers.

This is what I want to do right now. I want to tell my mom she is an inspiration to me, and others as well; I want my mom to know I love her dearly. Mommy is so funny -- she should be famous, like Oprah Winfrey or Whoopi Goldberg, but she is my heroine -- my Annie Howell! Good mothers are such special people, and I feel I am using my time and assets correctly in giving Annie Howell praise and thanks for being my everyday hero!

At the age of ten I had a bad accident. My father and I were in a car crash. I did not have my sealt belt on, so I received a punctured lung, along with a bad head injury. I was in a coma for about a month. Double pneumonia set in and my other lung collapsed! I was on my deathbed. I had to have a transfusion, a liver transplant, and there was no one else in my family who had the same type of blood but my mother, so she gave me the blood and the liver that I needed. My mom saved my life! If it were not for her I would not be here today.

When I got pregnant with my first child at the age of thirteen, boy, did I catch it from Mom! I let her down. She was afraid that my pregnancy would interfere with my education, and that I would end up dropping out of school just to be a responsible mother. She had very high expectations for me, but she never held back her love. My pregnancy made our relationship and bond much stronger. During the whole term my mom was there for me. She took me to all my doctor's appointments, and stayed in the room holding my hand during every check-up.

Around my sixth month, I started having a lot of trouble. I was then considered as a high-risk pregnancy. She took me out of school, got me a home tutor, and did school work with me -- by the way, this is how she got back into school and got her own G.E.D. She was in the delivery room with me, guiding me through my hard labor.

My mom always made sure I had the best of everything I wanted. When I told her I was going to get married, she was so happy for me, but on the other hand, she knew that she had to let her little girl go. She made sure that my wedding was everything I have always dreamed of. My mom planned and took care of it all, including having a beautiful dress made. She even had my wedding videotaped.

My life fell apart on March 11, 1987 when I found my mom in bed having died of massive heart attack. My whole world was taken when I lost my mom. I have not accepted her death, and I don't think I ever will. Right now, today, I can not talk about her without breaking down. Writing this essay about her was very hard for me.

There is not a day that goes by that I still do not cry for her. She was the world's greatest. I am lost without her. To everyone whose mom is still with him or her, please cherish every day that you have with her. Never let a day go by without telling her you love her. I would give anything in the world to have my mom back.

I know deep down in my heart that my mom watches over me every day, and she would not want me to go on in life beating myself up. It is really hard letting go of someone very special who puts her life on the line just to save her baby. My mom will always be my heroine. I will always carry her in my heart. I really wish she were here with me, not only in spirit, but physically, also. I cannot even close my eyes without seeing that smile on her lovely face. The last words I will end my essay with are:

I can remember the Black Panthers living down the hallway from us when I was a child. I used to even go to their apartment to play with their kids. I saw many of the members dressed in their liberation colors, red, black and green. They were having meetings to plan their next moves of strategy. Their weapons were always in arm's length from them. They had shot guns, machine guns and also handguns. I saw so much bloodshed as a child in my neighborhood. The police would come in droves, targeting the Panthers. The police and the Panthers would be at war with each other. They both would end up stretched out on the ground with bullet holes all through their dead bodies. I thought this was the way of life. There were four apartment buildings like a big square -- all you had to do was look out of your bedroom window to see the action below. I remember always being afraid for my family and me, and for the other families. I was especially afraid for the children of the Black Panthers, so much violence and talk of violence were always around them.

While all of this was going on there was Ms. Alamonte, my elementary school teacher, who was very kind and courageous. Ms. Alamonte was white, and although there was violence and prejudice in my neighborhood and it was very dangerous for her, it did not stop her from coming and checking on the children there. She was concerned about our welfare in the community as a whole. She had the courage to come into my neighborhood even though she knew there was a possible risk to her life, all the while trying to offer comfort and teach a better way of life to us. She started a project to clean up the litter in the city and got all of the children involved with it. She would come get us on Saturday mornings to start our task of cleaning up. We cleaned up the railroad station, the courthouse grounds, and the beach. We also cleaned up my neighborhood and even planted flowers. We did such a great job that our pictures were taken and put on the front page of the newspaper. The mayor was so pleased with us that they opened a summer camp for us. We went on field trips, swimming, and they even took us to see the New York Yankees play ball.

To this day I will always remember Ms. Almonte for momentarily taking us out of that environment. She gave us peace of mind from all of the fear and bitterness that surrounded us. She made us feel special by instilling good values and making us believe that when you do good for others good will surely come your way.

Mrs. Fox's husband was the principal of the school, and along with standing in at the ISS, she was to be a substitute teacher wherever she was needed. During that time, I learned more from her than any of my other teachers. She gave her time and attention to me when she didn't have to. She was always concerned about me and the progress I was making.

Before I met her, I felt that no other teacher cared about my individual progress. To me they were just there to pass on their knowledge for a paycheck. I felt like giving up on my education. After all, if they didn't care about my education, why should I? Mrs. Fox changed all of that.

For the first time in the seventh grade I would act up and get into trouble and constantly end up in detention. After about the fifth detention, she took me aside and talked to me and told me that I didn't need to be getting into trouble. If I needed help with anything at all she informed me that she would make time on her schedule for me to come in after class to work with me. I was doing well for a couple of months, until I let some other students influence me. I ended up failing the seventh grade.

I didn't want to fail the seventh grade again, so I came back with a new attitude. I kept my grades up and started enjoying school. Mrs. Fox was substituting for the school. At one point I got a D in one of my subjects and needed extra help, so I went to her for extra tutoring. She helped me bring my grade up to a B. I felt as if I had someone who cared about my education. With my sense of perseverance and her giving ways, I passed the seventh grade.

In the eighth grade I was one of a very selective few to be chosen as an office assistant. The staff at the school was very surprised. (They thought they knew me!) Every day, during one class period, I was able to work in the office. Later, I realized that if it weren't for the influence of Mrs. Fox, I wouldn't have made it to high school. With some bad decisions and no influences like Mrs. Fox, I ended up dropping out of school. It would have been nice to have a "Mrs. Fox" with me whenever I needed help. I believe that if I had kept in contact with her I wouldn't have dropped out of school and ended up in prison.

It started when I was twelve. Because I felt like no one could tell me anything, I had a very rough time growing up. Then I met Joe, the perfect friend, but me being the person that I was, I did not have time for the friend that really loved me and cared about me. He saw something in me that God gave him to see, that I did not know existed in myself. He saw a teenager who needed love -- which I did not have, growing up.

As the years passed by, I started getting into trouble, year after year. I ran away from home sixteen times, and then I was sent away to Bon-Air Learning Center. When I needed to talk to someone I could always count on Joe. He never turned his back on me.

Then the worst happened -- I stole from his aunt. At the time I did not care about hurting him or anybody else -- I was an addict. What hurt me the most was, one of the times I was in jail, I called Joe and he told me he loved me. I didn't feel that I deserved it. After all of the stuff I put him through, he always told me the things I needed to hear, even though I did not want to hear them.

He always tells me that I am a beautiful person inside and out, and that God is going to use me! He helps me to realize that Jesus was not against me, but for me. He tells me that, and I feel that God keeps letting me down, because I always get into trouble. When I get into trouble I always call on God, and He always bonds me out. God would always show me that He did love me no matter what I said or did to hurt the people I have hurt.

This is my first time being in prison. I know that I am going to make it. Would you believe that Joe is still holding on to our friendship! I want Jesus and Joe to know that if it was not for the both of them I would not have made it this far. I cherish the love and wisdom they both have given me. I love both of them with all my heart and soul. I am still trying to find myself before it's too late. But I know that Jesus is going to pull me through this. I wrote this poem in 1996 and I want to dedicate to Joe. Jesus, this is my prayer to you.

My children stayed in school despite my drug problem. One day my drug abuse had gotten so bad I could not get up on time to make breakfast, dress, and send them to school. My little heroes got up on time, took their showers, ironed their clothes, dressed themselves and went to school. Sometimes they would come home from school and cook for themselves while I was at work. Many times they had to be home alone, and what really makes them great heroes is that even during my incarceration they have not stopped loving me at all!

During this time of incarceration, one of my sons turned to drugs and the result of that landed him in the city jail and the Tidewater Detention Home for about six months of his life. Upon returning home my son became determined to change his life, so he got back in school and finished his high school education by getting his G.E.D. Now he is taking a college course in electronics. As of this day, he is twenty years old, and he does not get into any trouble at all. He is one of my four heroes.

Now, my oldest daughter is a great hero herself. She is nineteen years old, married, in college, and is employed. She did not allow my situation to stop her from achieving her goals. This young lady is such a wonderful erson. She never did drugs; she has always been there for her sisters, her brothers, and me.

This is my other hero -- my baby girl. She is sixteen years old. She is a wonderful hero to me because she is staying in high school, and she has never done drugs. She is learning to love herself and other's in spite of her mother's incarceration. She is a great hero in so many ways; she loves to read; she writes poems; she is studying to be a nurse, as well.

My oldest son is 23 years old. He is amighty hero for me because during all my bad times he has kept me going by telling me he loves me, and by giving me comfort and hope. He took care of the little things I wasunable to do for his sisters and brothers, like keeping bills paid and keeping a tidy house. Despite my incarceration he still finished school and got a job working with computers. He still finds strength within himself to move on to a brighter future, in spite of my absence from home.

My children have given me such wonderful hope for a better future. I am inspired to get my G.E.D., and also take a course on how to open my own business and be an entrepreneur. Now I realize who I am, today. My kids have shown me foregiveness by teaching me forgiveness and unconditional love. My children let me see the strength I thought I did not have inside me because of my years of drug addiction. I learned from my children that all the good things they have within themselves are within me as well, because we are a family -- we are one. My children have helped me to overcome uncertainty. They show me that after all, I am their real hero, and I did not recognize that until I wrote this essay. I use what is so freely given to me by my heroes, and it turned me into a hero, too. We are all heroes in our own special way because the real hero is within ourselves.

The alcohol controlled my father's life. He often became violent, both mentally and physically. Daddy never physically abused my sister and me. He saved that for my mother. I can remember countless times watching him beat her, and begging him to stop hurting my mom. The sad part is that he never realized how he was emotionally scaring my sister and me. I used to shake physically, and bite my nails until they bled. I became a very nervous child. One day when I got home from school, my mother had our things packed. We were leaving my father for good.

After many more months of Daddy drinking until he couldn't see straight, let alone tell you his full name, he made a big decision about his life, and wanted to get help. He checked himself into Rubicon. It's for alcoholics and drug addicts. The program lasted six months, and I rooted for him the whole time. My daddy was finally becoming the father I had always dreamed of.

After my father was released I felt the need to take care of him. I guess I was afraid that he might take a drink if I wasn't there to monitor his every step. We shared an apartment in Chesterfield, and that's when I picked up Daddy's old habits. Things were great for the first year or so, then I met a few people who lived in my neighborhood, and I started drinking and smoking pot with them. Daddy saw the change in me and tried to talk some sense into me. I didn't listen, of course. In my mind I wasn't out of control, he was just trying to spoil my fun since he couldn't party anymore. Boy, was I ever wrong!

Before I knew what was happening to me, I had started cashing bad checks to support my drug habit. When I was finally arrested Daddy was right there for me. He didn't fuss or put me down like my mom. Daddy had been in my shoes and understood. All he wanted was to see me get the help I needed. The day I was sentenced he was the only one there to give me moral support. All I could think about is how much I had hurt my daddy. Just when he turned his life around, I turned mine upside down. Daddy came to see me faithfully at the jail, we talked and sometimes cried.

A month later I was getting ready for Daddy's visit when Lt. Cox called me to his office. He told me my daddy had drowned in a boating accident. I wasn't allowed to go to his funeral. All I could think of is how I would never be able to tell him how proud I was of him, or that he was everything that I want to be. He taught me that it is all right to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.

I am now in prison serving the rest of my sentence. I have found the strength I need to move on with my life. I just recently took my G.E.D. test, and work full time. I realize now that I can still make my daddy proud, and he is in heaven rooting for me.

I am new to the system -- I have only been incarcerated for one year. When I first arrived at the prison I was frightened. I didn't know what to expect. Just as I became comfortable in the receiving unit, they moved me into general population. Population was very scary to me. There are all types of people with all types of crimes. As a result of this fear I hung around the wrong crowd as an attempt to fit in. I was afraid if I was myself I would not be accepted. In December of 1999 the institution opened the Long-Termers' Unit. I heard a lot of rumors about how women with life or long sentences didn't care because they basically have nothing to lose. So I decided to talk to some women who have longer sentences than myself. After talking to them I realized that this new unit would be the place for me.

I moved to the Long-Termers' Unit on December 6, 1999. Since being on this unit I feel a lot more comfortable and am able to be myself. When I was living in the other units I didn't care about my attitude as long as I fit in. I would disrespect the officers just to prove my "badness" to others, not knowing how hard I was really making it on myself. Now that I live on the Long-Termers' Unit I have noticed a change in myself and so has the staff. I have had staff members approach me and tell me that I have a much better attitude and am a more pleasant person to be around. I have met a lot of women in this unit for whom I hold a great deal of respect.

In this wing there are different age groups ranging from 18 to 60 years of age. Some committed crimes in their youth, some later in life. As we all come together, we are all thge same, no matter what our age. Even though these women know that this prison is where they will spend the rest of their lives, they have more positive outlook than a majority of the women serving lighter sentences.

A lot of the long-termers want to give so much back to the community. For example, "Lizard," who started a food drive for the needy at Christmas; Sissie and Bee-Bee want to crochet sweaters and mittens for the homeles; "Country" makes paper flower arrangements for the local hospitce and paper mobiles for the sick children in the hospital. As for myself, I would like to make lap blankets for the elderly. These are just a few examples of the generous things that long-termers would like to do. Not only do they want to give back to the community, they have helped me tremendously, dealing with my time. They always have those listening ears, those shoulders to cry on. Whatever I am going through, the chances are they have already gone through the same thing. These women are very laid-back, positive, and remain infraction-free, for the simple reason that they know this is where they will remain for a very long time. These women are not only my family, my friends, but are my everyday heroes.

I had to admit myself into the Alexandria hospital to have my labor induced, as a diabetic, high-risk blood pressure patient. Iwent through hard painful labor for almost a whole week. Each day I laid in the bed with a baby monitor machine strapped to my stomach to monitor the heart rate of my fetus.

On the 16th day of June at approximately 11 A.M. the doctor came in to talk to me, and told me that I needed to go downstairs to have a sonogram of my baby. During the sonogram I saw the doctors and nurses whispering, so right then I panicked because I feared something was wrong with my baby.

I asked the doctor what was wrong, but he hesitated to tell me. Finally, after I calmed down he told me that I needed to have an emergency C-Section because, the umbilical cord was wrapped around my baby's neck and the fluid was gone from the amniotic sac. After learning all this information, strapped to an operating table I went flying up the hallway about fifty miles per hour to have my baby.

The reason my son is my hero is, because before I had him I was pregnant twice. That's where he gets the name Tre -- he was my third one. The doctors didn't think he would make it because of the complications I had. I then started crying out to the good lord to save my baby. The lord heard my cry, and blessed me with a beautiful eight pound, thirteen- and-a-half ounce miracle baby.

My son is now five years old, and everyday when I see him or think of him I smile and see my hero because he fought and made it through the difficult time in the pregnancy.

Now, as my child has grown older and attends school he makes me even prouder. He has received excellent reports his first year in kindergarten. The teacher says he's a happy boy, sometimes too happy. He is reading on a first-grade level.

I want my child to always be successful in school and life. I always pray that all his dreams come to reality. When he grows up he wants to be a firefighter. I truly believe this shall come to pass, because he is already a strong fighter. He fought his way to have life -- now he wants to save others'. That's why he's my pride, my joy, my hero.

It was the day my husband I moved into our new home, to love, care for and raise. Sasquash was his nickname, because he had large feet. The day I received him along with his papers was truly a wonderful day. Taking him to his new home, feeding him Gerber baby cereal and pampering him was like starting all over again. As he was growing and being "potty trained," it was fun. Later as I watched him grow, his hair was beautiful. He had long thick hair, a pointed nose and drooping ears. When I came home from work he made it known he loved me as much as I loved him. He was always inside until both of us got home. If one of us arrived early, he could go outside to play. As soon as he would get sight of the car, he would gallop around the yard like a stallion.

Yes, Sasquash was an Afghan hound, not a child. His childlike ways brought joy to me. I fell in love with Afghan hound dogs after seeing them on the Virginia Slim commercial. It was eye catching the tall sleek model, smoking a long cigarette, walking her dog. They both having long, silky, flowing hair and walking gracefully. He brought joy to us. Family, friends, and especially children admired him. Sasquash followmed me all around the house and outside. When I talk to him, I felt he understood every word. He was unusual but quite a sire. His showmanship was outstanding along with being very protective of his surroundings. He was so protective to the point, that one day my insurance agent was showing me where to sign the papers and Sasquash snapped at him!

Tragically he was with us for only ten years human life equal to seventy years in a dog's life. Sasquash had learned how to open the front gate with his nose. He got out of the gate one day and went over to my neighbor's house across the street. My neighbor telephoned me and said, "Sasquash is over here." I went out on the front porch to get him, but he saw me first. Sasquash look up at me and dashed across the street before I could utter a word a speeding motorist hit Sasquash with his car. It happened so quickly. The sight of him lying there helpless, no longer able to move his strong body, it was devastating. The Animal Rescue League came and took him away to be sent to dog's heaven. Realizing that now I will be all alone, I said a final farewell to my companion and everyday hero. A house is not a home and a home is not a house unless there is a pet to love.

You see, I have a problem with passing my GED test because I freeze up when I write my essays. I can read but I can't comprehend it. It is like getting the cart before the horse. So Mr. Strong has been patient with me, telling me that if I stop pushing myself so hard, I can pass this test with a breeze. Mr. Strong has taught me to read out loud, write more essays, going back over my work before I turn it in. Sometimes when he sees me in a bad mood when I come into the class, he would offer me a cup of coffee. He is just that kind of a teacher. Sometimes I would come into the class and not do anything except daydream. Then Mr. Strong would kick my butt about not doing anything and he would put some work in front of me to do the next day!

Mr. Strong alsoo helps me to deal with some problems, as an inmate, here in prison. I have a very negative attitude toward myself as a person and Mr. Strong sees this. He talks to me in a way that won't put me down. It isn't easy being in an all-female prison a person has been raised in an all-male family. I am the only girl out of seven children. I have been set in my own ways for so long it is hard to change. He has taken time out of class just to talk to me. Not many people wnat to take time to get to know me.

Mr. Strong knows that I am a very intelligent and important person by the life I have had to live. I want to thank Mr. Strong for being a part of my life and making it easier to live here at Fluvanna. It takes someone special like him to put up with my bald head.

"Yes!" Good deeds have been done in my everyday living. Without my Creator in my life, I truly believe I would be nobody today, and I would not have that positive outlook on being successful. In addition to good deeds towards myself I have done good deeds for others as well as myself. My good deed is maintaining and keeping focus on being that strong woman in society. My belief is keeping an outlook on where I stand when I am released. God (ALLAH) is my number one hero. I feel He is more of a hero as I spend time in prison. I have learned that in being incaracerated for so many years, you have to keep the focus on self, and to stand up for what you really believe in. As a Muslim, I stand on Islam -- practicing discipline, sacrificing and living that respectful life. Reaching out to people who are in need is also something I practice.

My goal is something that will be good for a lot of people. It is to be a Certified Physical Fitness Teacher to work with people who have weight problems, and people experiencing a lot of stress and depression. My hero ALLAH gives me the peace of mind that I have, which allows me to find peace in helping others to have strong motivation with good health and to live a long time. I truly believe in motivation, determination, and putting in the mind that if you feel good in the inside you can feel good as well on the outside 'taking action on yourself.'

I feel that ALLAH has and will continue to bless me and fulfill my dream of being a physical fitness teacher. He said, "If I take a step, He will take ten." To keep my dream I continue to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.

This time in prison is like going to the doctor for a check-up exam yearly. My rehabilitation is my vitamins. Eating a lot of health foods such as fruits and vegetables, drinking a lot of water, and daily exercising, I show respect to my hero ALLAH. My dessert is telling and showing someone how exercising benefits the body.

ALLAH, through my mother, gave me good advice. You see, many years ago, I was a very negative person who always wanted to do what I wanted to do, and if it was not my way it was the highway. I remember the old words my mother used to say when I was growing up: "A hard head makes a soft ass, especially when you do not listen. As you get older you will know what I mean when you start having children of your own, and the same thing you have done in your past, your children will do these same things to you." I am all grown up now, and I have had to pay the consequences for my mistakes of action. My hero has been full of mercy that touches me to my heart. In F.C.C.W., I can not do everything I want to do -- like speak, and hold, and pray with my family -- so I have learned patience. The advice from God and mom has given me the patience I need to learn the information to get my G.E.D.

My Creator keeps me disciplined, and love from Him, family, and friends, keeps me motivated. I have peace of mind to help others as well as myself to be motivated and physically fit. What is more important t care for than our minds, hearts, souls, and bodie? May everyone feel God's blessings as they do good deeds to others as well as to themselves.

Sometimes I get discouraged and lose faith in myself, but I could be in my room and her voice catches me, at that time I wil listen closely and the message will somehow touch my heart, and I find strength to continue to work on changing my life.

Today, eight months later, I strive to do at least one good deed per day. Even when I feel down I push even harder and get moving when called upon or needed in the T.C. Stepper Community, because I know for a fact the world needs more people to care, more than it needs water. I have learned that all it takes to save a life is to be willing to help one another. I am now helping a new Therapeutic Program like ours open here in F.C.C.W.

I have been blessed with the chance to carry an important message: "The only way we keep what we got is to give it away." What this means is the more I share what I have learned,dd the more it motivates me. I intend on returning to my hometown and helping anyone I can by becoming a counselor, most of all by showing I am practicing right-living skills, not only formyself, but for anyone God puts in my path or just happens to walk by me. Who knows? Maybe saying good morning to a stranger could save his or her life and that is doing just the right thing. One day I hope someone will look at me as the same kind of everyday hero that Mrs. Bailey has become to me. Good night Irene -- thank you!

When I was sixteen years old, I used to rip and run the streets until I joined Job Corps in the late '80's. In 1998 my younger sister passed away in a car accident. She was only 15. She was my joy and pride. I love her a lot. One day my mom called me to tell me my sister was in the hospital. She was dead. Right then and there, I knew I had to get my act together before I ended up six feet under, or in jail. When I finished Job Corps, I moved back home.

In 1990 I got married, not knowing what I was getting myself into. My husband was abusive towards me; he followed me whenever I went to work, shopping and over to friends' houses. He did not trust me. I had to take charge of my life and get out of that situation before I ended up doing something that I would regret for the rest of my life. So I moved out and left him alone.

In 1992 I met this guy who got me into drugs and alcohol. I stayed out all night long. I did not have a job. I hung around a bunch of people who did not have anything going for them. He got me into something terrible. Now I am regretting ever meeting him. But I only have myself to blame. I put myself in that situation and now I am paying for it.

In 1996 my father passed away from cancer. He was my whole world and I love him dearly. When he left my life I start thinking of suicide, because I wanted to be with him and my sister in death. But I knew it was not my time. Losing my father has really changed me in many ways. When I am depressed or I feel like crying, I always write him.

Dear Daddy,
I miss you so much. So much that it hurts. It is unexplainable. Every time I look at your picture it brings back memories of all the good times we had together. Sometimes I wish I could be with you. I have grown a lot. You might be gone physically, but spiritually you will always be in my heart.

Love,
Your daughter, Felicia

I have found peace -- I have done good deeds towards others like:

1. I have comforted many people in need while families are sick.
2. I have done people's hair to make them feel good about themselves.
3. I have surprised someone with a birthday card.
4. I have given my last of canteen when others did not have any.

I spent most of my young adult years in the ghetto. I saw lot of hurting people. I saw a lot of hate, the whites hating the Puerto Ricans and blacks, and we hating them. We are a large family -- I have three brothers and one sister, also thirteen stepbrothers. I am so happy that Jesus took care of me because as I look back now, I see my friends that who did not have Jesus in their lives are either dead or in prison doing life. I was taught that if someone hit me to hit them back. Well, now that I am a mother of six children I don't teach my children to fight back. I teach them to love, then to fight. This world will be a better place if we taught our children to love everyone no matter what color we are.

Jesus Christ is my everyday hero. Jesus is my redeemer. As a mother of six children, would I give any of them up to die for this world? No, I could not! If I were the one that was in Jesus' place, would I die for the world? Again, no!

This is why Jesus is my hero. He died for all of us. He knew just how much pain and suffering he would go through, but He never turned back. He had all of the temptations of sin, just as we do. When Jesus went on the mountain for forty days and forty nights fasting and praying to God, Satan said to Jesus, "If you are the son of God turn the rock to bread." Jesus responded by saying, "Man cannot live by bread alone." By the third day if it were yself, I would have given up. I would have wanted the food. But no, not my hero Jesus Christ. Then, the devil took Jesus upon a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. The devil said to him, "I will give all of this to you if you will bow down and worshipme." My hero, Jesus, answered, "Go away Satan!" Now, if this were me, I would have wanted the power and to own the Kingdoms, but not my hero. Jesus stood his ground again and the devil left Him.

He has shown me that I can do all things through him. Jesus has given me wisdom, peace, understanding and love for all my sisters and brothers, because we are all sisters and brothers. We are all God's children, so as I sit here in prison, I learn one thing -- that Jesus has always been carrying me through. There are days I feel that I can't go on. I miss all of my children and my husband. I feel that I just can't do another day. My tears start to drop and I cry out to my hero, then all of sudden I feel peace in me.

On weekends when I don't get a visit from my family because they live in Florida, this is the hardest time for me. I see other women get visits, hear others talk about what a good time they had on their visit, and I run to my room and cry. I cry to my hero. Again he gives me peace and comfort, then I get a big smile on my face. I say to myself, I got Jesus -- I will be okay, I will make it through this hell. I am glad that I got punished for what I did wrong. Now the past is gone, just as my sins are gone. I now look up and walk with my hero, and I see a beautiful world. It is not the world that is bad, it is the people. We need to come back to our father, to Jesus, and let go of hate and get a hold of love.

My mother is a good person. My mother is a good cook! She can cook good eggs and chicken. I am like her. She is quiet. She works real hard to keep the house clean. She keeps everything in place. When I was small she worked at hotels to feed me. She raised nine kids. They are all doing well now. She knows all about the things kids try to pull from experience plus because she was a kid herself. My mother is a home person. When she goes out she enjoysit. When she is at home she finds something to do like read and cook and clean the house up. She knows how to say the right things: quite tactful. She is also understanding and that makes talking much easier. My mom is the greatest. I love my mom.

On special occasions, like Christmas, we would ride the bus to Lewisham. Lewisham was a large town with all types of shops, movies, a train station and a big Marks and Spencers. We always stopped at C & A's for lunch. I loved to ride the bus. I can remember that sometimes it was bitterly cold out. My toes were so cold they would hurt so much I would cry. When we got back on the bus and sat down, Nan would take my socks and shoes off and rub my toes. She always made me feel better.

During the summer holiday, I would spend several weeks at Nan's house. We always slept together. I always felt so warm and cozy. Pop was Nan's husband. In the spring I would help him plant his vegetable garden. In the summer when the vegetables were ready to pick, Nan would send me into the garden to pick vegetables for dinner. I was so proud of myself. She also had apple and pear trees, and she made the most wonderful apple pies. They were always my favorite.

Once a year Nan would take my sister and me on holiday. We usually went to holiday camps near the ocean. When I was about 12 years old, Nan took me to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. We had a wonderful time.

When I was six years old, my Mum and I lived alone. My sister and brother weren't there to look after me like they had done before. My Mum had to work different shifts. Nan would come across London just to put me to bed. She had to take two long bus rides. I was so hapy to see her; she always gave me a kiss and a big hug. I can remember one time I was playing at the playground on a roundabout and got dizzy. It upset my stomach. She went to the sweet shop and got me a barley sugar stick to suck on. It always settled my stomach. Sometimes when Mum didn't have money for food, Nan would bring a suitcase of food to our flat.

As I got older, I went to see Nan less and less. I would try to see her every Sunday with my sister and her two children. When I moved to the United States, I would try to call her as often as possible.

Nan influenced my life in many ways. She never lost her temper and was always there for me. She taught me to trust and to help people out when I can. She made me a giving person. After all these years, I love to cook and to grow vegetables and flowers. I love to work in the garden. Most of all she made me realize how important it is to be there for my children. I never went to work when they were small. I knew what it was like to be a day-care child and not to have a Mum who could always be there. Without Nan, I would never be the person I am today.

I think an everyday hero could be somebody who wants to help other people. I think it is a good thing to want to help other people. I met someone in the city I wanted to be friends with, and he believes in helping other people, too. He doesn't believe in doing something to hurt somebody else.

My Aunt Emma had a big farmhouse with a lot of cows, pigs, chickens, and hens. She was a Sunday school teacher and she sang in the choir. She went to college in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she earned an elementary teaching degree. When she retired, she substituted in high school.

My Uncle Kemper Dawson worked for the Highway Department of Transportation. He and my Aunt Emma had a son, and his name was Don Dawson. He was a schoolteacher who taught driver's education. Everybody loved Don very much.

Aunt Emma was like a mother to me. She made everyone feel loved and needed. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

Having Nicky destroyed was never an option as far as I was concerned. I loved my paralyzed dog too much. With the help of a dogie-sized wheelchair, the 7 year old Cockapoo is still able to get about and play in the Belmont neighborhood. It is not easy to say, "Hey, I'm God," and get a shot and put her to sleep. I don't care what it costs, I love my Nicky. She grew in my heart and that's just the way it's going to be. I didn't even open my Christmas presents until the first of January, until Nicky came home.

There were so many cats that you could not walk one block without seeing 25 or 30 of them. Ninety percent of the animals were wild and starving. The mother cats were pulling insulation from beneath the homes and making their beds to have their kittens in. The insulation was getting in the little ones' eyes and causing infections which made them blind. Some of it was eating into their brains and killing them. I would have to call my son-in-law about three times a week to bury cats and kittens.

I went to the office and asked the manager if there wasn't some way to get help to get them out of the park without killing them. I was told to call the S.P.C.A. which I did. Mike Foreman informed me that they had cleaned all the cats out of Southwood over a year before I called. He said, "We put over a thousand animals to sleep, and I will not do that again!" I asked if there was someone else I could call. He gave me the phone number for the Voices for Animals. That's how I met Lisa Landsverk, Julie Falconer, and Dr. Michael Rose. The two ladies came out and trapped cats and kittens for about a year and Dr. Rose neutered and spayed them. He treated the sick ones and the ones he couldn't cure he had to put down. Then they found homes for hundreds of cats and kittens. The ones they couldn't find homes for they brought back and found volunteers to help feed them so they will be able to live out their lives in comfort. Dr. Rose comes every summer and gives shots to the pets in the park at a discount and gives out vouchers to people to have their pets fixed at a discount. Julie and Lisa still come to check on the cats and bring food to help the volunteers.

So, as you can see, these three people are my "everyday heroes." They care about God's creatures and they do something about it.

Snce we've known her she's always been there, a positive source that helps me up every morning and makes it feel great to be in school each day. She shows me how to solve even life's problems at times. My G.E.D. teacher has showed me how to overcome the probability of difference. She shows me a postiive way to get around negativity. She helps me look over my outcome and be sure of my answers. She even makes me double-check to be even more positive about what I've already gone over.

Questions and comments to Susan Erno