Is it
just ME, or do you, too, come across young
people, from time to time, who restore your sense of security for the future of
the world?
Today is December 5,
2013. It is the 18th birthday
of an exemplary young woman who just happens to be the daughter of one of the
Advisors at The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA).
Let me also mention today is the birthday of
the Dad of our Social Media Manager and “Data Diva”, Donna Furno; happy 78th birthday Mr. Freeman!
Kathy Trotta is never
without a smile; neither, it seems is her daughter, lovingly referred to as Dani-Girl.
Dropping by the see her
Mom yesterday, I had a chance to share some time with Dani-Girl, which inspired
this Blog; “thank you”, to this amazing Mother-Daughter tag-team.
Today’s world is often
overwhelmingly cynical when it comes to our youth. A more demanding generation by all degrees of
comparison, today’s young can easily be classified as indulged, spoiled,
indifferent, even disrespectful.
Then, there is a beacon
of light. A smile, an excited and
motivated teenager to begin her new job in addition to going to school. A teen, who like her Mother speaks with a
smile, obviously genuine, as she glances over her right shoulder to see her Mom
and include her in the conversation as she spoke to me. I like
this child; and so would you!
Many are blessed to go
through their teen years in typical carefree mode; not Dani-Girl.
Sadly, she lost her Dad
as a Junior High School student. I’ve
experienced an untimely death like that when my oldest brother died at 44,
leaving 3 children, the youngest one, 12.
Life is hard at that
stage of life under the best of circumstances.
It takes strength to move forward – even when you don’t really want to –
especially when you have no choice but to do so.
So, Dani-Girl moved
on. As a “Sweet Sixteen” year-old, her
house was devastated in Super-Storm Sandy, which ripped the east coast of the
United States above the mid-Atlantic.
Now, almost 14 months later, Kathy and her children are still having
repairs made – but they are together – and they clearly have a Guardian Angel.
Fast forward to the
Spring of 2013…it’s Prom Time. Dani-Girl
is selected by a Long Island newspaper as “Prom Girl” and will be featuring her
in a series of articles over the next many weeks as she models options of what
to wear to Prom so readers can vote.
Sounds great, right?
Well, it ended up being
wonderful but not without a few side steps brought on by jealous people who
probably have nothing nice to say about anyone but don’t have the good sense to
just say nothing! Life’s lessons can be tough!
The Prom is over, the
dress has been hung away…a short distance from home, Dani-Girl’s car is hit by
a senior gentleman, necessitating a trip to the hospital and a brain scan
because of head and neck pain…
Kathy learns that her
17 year-old has cancer…life comes to another sudden halt
as a course-of –action is determined.
At this point, you may
be thinking I’m making this up. I wish I
were!
This Blog is not to
share a sad story; not at all. It is to
share the spirit of a Mother, a daughter, a family and a random (?) car
accident that has proven to be a saving grace.
It is a story of
resilience.
It is a story of
strength and courage that comes when we need it the most.
It is a story of hope.
It is a story that, at
one time, or another, each of us will play a role in.
It is a story that has
cost me many tears, yet in the end, it is about smiling.
It is a story of moving
forward.
And, it is a story
worth sharing…
So, IS it
just me, or do you, too see that a Dani-Girl
here and a Dani-Girl there is enough reason to celebrate and to have hope that
tomorrow’s leaders are out there.
Happy
Birthday, Dani-Girl
Keep
smiling.
(Nice
job, Kath!!)
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