A Giving Heart

I was raised with my four siblings in the small town of Chandler, Oklahoma by my parents who instilled in me that family was everything. Blood is thicker than water. You can achieve a life of great blessings and endeavors with God as your Copilot. Your word is all that a man needs. You stand on your word and never go back on it. You work for everything you get; the government owes you nothing. We were a close family never had much money but were rich in love. I have heard people say, because of that we were the riches people in town. I am sharing a link of my hometown, because it is a pretty cool little town.

Chandler, OK | (chandlerok.com)

I tribute a lot of my life to my dad. Giving comes from the heart. It comes naturally in my life. I watched my father as I was growing up. He was a giver. He would give even when he really didn’t have extra to give. He would give when he didn’t have to give. He never met a stranger but often gave to people he had never seen before or ever again. Watching this for years, my life walked in those footsteps. I always want to give, no matter who, what, or where if I can give, I will give. Giving doesn’t only mean giving something of monetary value but also time, love, and attention. Helping others in any way I can to help their life be happier, and more successful.

“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. if you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” Chinese Proverb

My mom instilled in me her gentle touch, soft voice, kind heart, patience, and love for all humans. She was a very caring soul. She never spoke badly of anyone; she always found the good in people. She was my prayer warrior. I strive to be half the mom she was. I work hard at it because it is so important to me for my family to know how to love unconditionally.

I married my highschool sweetheart on Dec. 18, 1986. We lived in Chandler when our three daughters were born. I have always told our three daughters that life is too short to be unhappy. Get there no matter what it takes to put you in a happy place. Positivity brings out the best in all people. Negativity is contagious, so leave it out of your life so you don’t spread it to others. 

I grew up traveling with my family. My father built metal buildings all over the U.S. We spent many summers as a family traveling from state to state. He believed in working hard but having fun along the way. He never passed up the opportunity to take us to an amazement park, cave, or sightseeing. He has even driven an additional 100 miles, so we go to a state we hadn’t been to before. Only to be able to say we have been there. Traveling is bread in me, I often tell my husband the highway is calling my name. We drove to Alaska when we moved here in 2001 and have since did around trip to Oklahoma and back. Camping was also a huge part of my childhood, and we continued that lifestyle with our daughters. We spent many weekends on the riverbanks hunting Indian artifacts, camping and enjoying each other’s company.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH SOCIAL WORK

I am not sure what my future holds at this moment. I am 56 years old and just now getting my AAS in Tribal Governance. I just wanted to get a degree; I just wish my parents were alive to know it. The idea of trekking into the Social Work field has gotten me excited to learn more about the different layers of the field. I have some experience with it because of my courtroom experience. I was a court clerk deputy in Chandler, Oklahoma and part of my responsibilities was sitting in with the Judge on juvenile cases. I have seen a lot of how social workers represent the field of social work. Therefore, I seen first-hand the court system and social work with families and troubled youth. I am eager to learn from the social worker side of things.

I currently am the Elder Services Director for a native association. I don’t know where I will go with the social worker, but I feel I will be furthering my education in it. I have helped employees and elders who have been dealing with things involving social work. The more I learn the more help I can give. I have seen many people who have needed a social worker with a caring heart. I have a heart to serve and to help people through their trauma. Kids need a hug, and it breaks my heart to see kids hurting. 

I have never personally been involved with social workers, but I have family that has fostered children, been guardianship over their siblings, and also adopted their grandchildren. I witnessed the heart break of my little family members being taken from their mom because of her bad choices. It was so devasting to them little babies and my family. I have seen first-hand through their experiences and trials. It’s not always easy, and sometimes you just wish you didn’t have to get involved but family is thicker than water, so you do what you have to do. Everything has worked out for the best and everyone is doing great.

** The first two pictures were from the internet, I created the meme using photos from the internet.**