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November 18, 2005
A True Story of Courage and the American Spirit
Once upon a time, not so long ago... there were two very poor twin sisters of Hispanic decent living in a small town in Northern California. For purposes of protecting their identity, I will just call them Juanita and Maria. They were barely 12 years old when their parents were in the midst of an ugly divorced that led them to be living in a single parent household. Their father soon took up with another women and their mother was in a state of emotional meltdown; for them, life couldn't have been worse.
Their peers and other family members were of little or no help, as they had their own serious problems. In fact most of their friends were failing in school and getting into trouble and that seemed where the twins were heading too. Their father had been a long time alcoholic and had serious emotional problems and that caused him to fly into fits of temper often in drunken rages, so his absence was slightly better than him being around. Their mother was married at 15 because she was pregnant with them by their now absent father and was forced at that young age to join her husband, working the crops as a laborer in order to survive. Their first home was in a migrant camp and it was only years later that the twins actually moved into a low income home. Their mother loved them and did the best she could for her girls, but she had overwhelming problems of her own. The mother - daughter relationship was strained almost to the breaking point, many times.
What happened from this point forward is a remarkable story of overcoming adversity to rise up above the chaos of a family in severe crisis and how these two young girls evolved into caring, charming and successful adults, living out the American dream.
At 13, Maria and Juanita left that dysfunctional environment and started life anew with someone who simply allowed them to be all they could be. It was an odd sort of adopted family arrangement, but it worked! This part came together more by accident or fate, whatever you want to call it, but that's a whole other story in itself. Perhaps I should sum it up like this, the girls were loved and appreciated and for the first time in their young lives they had strong parental guidance on a consistent basis. It's amazing how kids can thrive when their emotional needs are met and given some guidance, even when life has dealt them a terrible hand, as in this case.
Both girls had been struggling in school, but in time and with the most modest of encouragement coupled to their own determined struggle and some long evenings with lots of homework, their grades improved! 3 years later this great personal effort culminated when both Maria and Juanita graduated from high school, on the honor roll!
Both girls went on to Junior College because they still couldn't afford to go to a University. Juanita took on part-time jobs and with a small grant, she was accepted at San Jose State where she graduated with a BA degree in business.
Juanita excelled in school and athletics and following her passion, she went on to own and manage a successful fitness center in the bay area. She now has several nationally known motivational speakers on her staff of employees. Juanita is currently involved in her latest business endeavor for a national fitness program via the internet. She is also actively marketing her own unique sports fitness program through retail athletic stores. A total success story, but it sure wasn't easy! Then again, what things worthwhile are easy?
Next, Maria obtained an AA degree and was drawn in another direction because of her love of the sea. She found work in Hawaii on a daytime cruise boat and for a time this was perfect for her. The money was ok and the crew became like her family, but she wanted more out of life than being a hostess on a tour boat. Then one day she read about jobs for deckhands in the Florida yachting business. This got her thinking and she decided to try to land a job on luxury yacht. After saving up some money she flew to Florida not really knowing what to expect, but her drive and determination paid off once again. Within two weeks of her arrival and after some serious job hunting, she was hired as a stewardess on 160' motor yacht.
Maria changed boats several times as she slowly rose up threw the rank's, taking specialized maritime classes in her off duty hours to make herself more promotable. Among the many maritime certificates she has earned are two coveted licenses, one from the U.S. Coast Guard and one from the British Admiralty...for ship's Captain!
Although she is yet to work as a full time captain, she is still young and she's confident it will eventually happen, but she's in no hurry as her job as a ship's officer is challenging enough at the moment. In the past decade she has crewed for several of the worlds largest, multi-million dollar yachts, cruising the Caribbean, meeting famous people and seeing exotic ports of call, as well as doing freelance yacht delivery along the entire eastern seaboard.
This fantastic story of adversity and triumph had many twists and turns, any one of which could have derailed this future. How it was that they survived to overcome every obsticle thrown at them might be summed up in quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and this is a great message for all young kids struggling to overcome their own adversities: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
Oh, how it is that I came to know this story? Well, I just celebrated a birthday yesterday for two very special young ladies, their names are Maria and Juanita...and I'm their step-dad and as Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know the rest of the story."
Posted by Post Scripts at November 18, 2005 08:24 AM
Comments
Great Story Jack, it shows how children given opportunity, encouragement, and a nurturing environment can rise above their situation and have a better life. You are obviously proud.
Good for you! Anthony
Posted by: Anthony Watts at November 18, 2005 11:05 PM
A beautiful story. If I may quote George Carlin "It doesn't take a village to raise a child, it just takes a loving family."
Speaking of quotes, Jack, could I quote you and your blog on occasion in my blog at jordanfrazer.blogspot.com. I find some of your points to be quite insightful.
-Jordan
Posted by: Jordan Frazer at November 19, 2005 04:30 PM