Tell It Like It Is

It's Friday!

Thought it a good day to start out with a bit of advice from a tree before I keep it real!

We all know that trees flourish best when tended well; when they are nurtured from seedlings, when fed and and cared for.

We then watch as they grow.

We sometimes wonder if they can sustain the element around them.

I hope all have had a week of wonder,

enjoyed the view

and

STOOD for that which is important, is valued, is solid and fundamental and just.

I also hope that truth has been the cornerstone of your knowledge, the words that have echoed in the minds of those that you've talked to; that truth has been the root of your being in all that you do.

I am reminded of the saying

"the truth is is the thing that allows us to not rely on our memories".

I rather like that idea, and sure do like not having to remember as well.

This is the day before Jamfest here in Palm Harbor.

A day of excitement across the country for so many; as well as a day of

mixed emotions for so many more;

as high schools and colleges prepare for rituals of proms and graduations.

Times with grand celebrations

and heightened awareness of the next steps; of those who are both happy and sad

as they journey from the safety nets of the known into the unknown.

Times of high risk behaviors while celebrations of accomplishments of young people who are both happy and sad and emotions are running high.

It is a time where once again people will be judged not just by their behaviors and decisions but by their associations.

A time where you may have spent years or months advising and teaching, but all of that will and can be lost in the moment of good times and executive functions of the brain are put on back burners in lieu of good times and moments of swift change and friends and peer pressures.

Advice from a tree; a mangled car in a school parking lot, or talking to someone with experience overlooked or ignored or tolerated while waiting for the moment of gathering with friends, or the celebration at hand.

The bands will play, the folks will gather, the music will rock and the tempations will be there. It's soon to be Friday night across America, young people will be jacked up, preparing for Proms/graduations

and

the parties will now be scheduled, hotels booked; favorite spots, the in crowd, football, sports heroes' cheerleaders, geeks  all colors, sizes, beliefs will be find their way to each other

and their time to be.

It is also a time of heightened police presence around our country,

as they are now preparing for more tragedy, more drug busts, alcohol involvement than ever.

The ER's are on alert as well.

Just keepin it real here.

Parents will take pictures of their kids, they will plan and cry and feel the changes of what has been, what is, and wonder about the next years.

Some will pace floors over the weekend, or

the weeks to come,

laughter and relatives will be coming in from out of town;

parties will be held,

the joys measurable.

This is a month of painful loveliness for many around the globe.

Again, many do not realize they are judged by their truth telling, their associations and those they call "friends"

and

they need to take advice from the tree,

from those who love them

and

from their foundations they need to stand for all that is right in the decisions they make each moment.

This is a "high-stakes" time for youth these days.

Drinking and driving?

the statistics are sickening; weed, and prescriptions drugs?

The accidental overdoses and deaths across this nation would and should call anyone to action.

The availability of synthetic drugs being sold at mini-marts, truck stops under names of

K2/Spice/ Bath Salts being put in drinks, snorted; now hand sanitizer being used to get high and being injested...

by pre-teens, teenagers, adults

ending in death.

Kids abandoning their so called friends rather than calling 911 for fear of being arrested across the world.

WE MUST EDUCATE.

this is the time.

And we must stress the importance of being told the truth,

for the TRUTH will come out eventually,

one way or the other,

it always does.

Young people, adults would be well advised to remember that truth is their best friend,

that right way relations and unconditional love is the foundation and their roots will run deep if they nurture the God/dess within and work their plan, feed their soul and stand for all that is good in their service to others.

One must walk gently upon the earth, yet choose wisely who they walk with and trust with their decisions and reputations in this life. There are continual lessons, some painful, some necessary and some that impact many through associations and decisions made in haste. Some affect a wider circle through knowledge, and truth in understanding or disbelief by choices that affect the greater circle and the ripple effects can devastate.

...............

ONE DAY UNTIL

MAY 12, 2012

1-7PM

i hope you are getting your dance shoes ready, your pockets stuffed with money, and ready to come and join a great event!

They are goin' to have some auctions and raffles for things that you will  want to be sure and win for gifts or to enjoy for yourself I am certain, as you dance til you drop to some off the hook bands!

Susan, Greg Korabek

are now in their home with a full house of family,

the committee has worked non-stop on this event,

friends are gearing up, loading up the goodies

and they are ready!

Susan and Greg Korabek

Just so you recognize them

and

Greg, Susan and Kyle

in their jamfest shirts from last year!

A family devastated by the sudden death of a son/brother/grandson/nephew/friend

LANDON KORABEK 17 years old,

"gone too soon"

...

A bright young man, loved so much, given a strong foundation.

A kid who knew the love of family,

who loved his family, his friends, his life.

A kid who was swept up in the pressure and peers and moment

and made a bad choice/decision.

Yet, he was able to come home by curfew; engage fully in a conversation, all seemed just fine and normal.

He went to bed in the comfort of his bed, just like any other night...

and didn't wake up.

THIS COULD BE YOUR SON,

your Grandson, nephew, Godson,

YOU.

...

Wake UP people.

It begins with Awareness, Education, Prevention.

...

Thank you Korabeks for choosing to heal, for taking this to the community, the world,

and for letting Landon's love of music, his talents of guitar

stir you to action, advocacy

as

We Remember Landon

MAY 12,2012

...

The proceeds will be divided between

NOPE (Narcotics Prevention and Education)

and a scholarship for young people in music at the Ruth Eckerd Hall.

...

I am honored to know the Korabeks,

and to see their courage

and witness their light of One Love.
...

Thomas O'Brien in Texas has had a rough week, he was in the hospital yesterday receiving blood and on oxygen as his lung was bleeding.
He is still hoping for 5,000 friends on facebook and we now have 3k there, so please let your friends know.
Hold him up in prayer warriors.
He received his badge, stood and took his oaths as the fine man and officer he is,
NOW a sworn deputy out their in Texas yesterday with a ceremony.
He found the strength, the courage to do this, with a lung bleeding, strength that was waning,
and after his ceremony, pictures taken,   his Mom, Debbie took him to the hospital, yes he was not about to miss a thing, not an honor as big as being sworn in as deputy.
There is a "new deputy" in town.
We are standing by you my friend
Thomas O'Brien.
PRAYERS GOIN UP for you.

I am amazed at the strength of this warrior, and honored to walk with him, to stand for and by him in truth, in honesty and right way relations with so many who now join him for all the right reasons.

Walk in Beauty,

DRSES

keepin it Real

www.sherryeshowalter.com