Devonte Hart (post by Frank Somerville KTVU)
By now you have probably seen this picture of Devonte Hart being hugged by a police officer in Portland, Oregon.
(I’ll explain the other picture in a moment)It happened during protests over the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson.
It has to be one of the most touching pictures I’ve ever seen.
And here’s what Devonte’s mother Jenifer Hart wrote about it afterword:
(I’ll explain the other picture in a moment)It happened during protests over the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson.
It has to be one of the most touching pictures I’ve ever seen.
And here’s what Devonte’s mother Jenifer Hart wrote about it afterword:
“It was one of the most emotionally charged experiences I’ve had as a mother.
He trembled holding a Free Hugs sign as he bravely stood alone in front of the police barricade.
Tears rushing from his eyes and soaking his sweater, he gazed upon them not knowing how they would react.
After a while, one of the officers approached him and extended his hand.”
“Their interaction was uncomfortable at first.
He asked Devonte why he was crying.
(Devonte’s) response about his concerns regarding the level of police brutality towards young black kids was met with an unexpected and seemingly authentic (to Devonte), ‘Yes. *sigh* I know.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.’
The officer then asked if he could have one of his hugs.”
But as touching as this picture is, the story behind Devonte is just as touching.
That second picture is Devonte with his mother.
I read a story about him on a website called PaperTrail.
It was written by Chloe Johnson.
Lets just say it’s amazing that Devonte is even alive.
Here’s a condensed version of the story:
Devonte Hart entered the world 12 years ago with drugs pumping through his tiny newborn body.
By the time he was 4 years old he had smoked, consumed alcohol, handled guns, been shot at, and suffered severe abuse and neglect.
He knew only a handful of words, including f–k and s—t.
He was a violent toddler and his health was weighed down by a heavy list of disabilities.
It was a life with little hope and a future that seemed over before it began.
That is until Jen Hart and her wife Sarah entered Devonte’s life and adopted him and his two siblings seven years ago.
Jen says the day she met Devonte was frightening and traumatic.
“That night, after we finally got him to sleep, I cried harder than I had ever cried in my life.
I felt like there was no way we could raise this child, and the five others we had adopted.”
Yet, she says, “I felt more connected to this fragile little boy more than I had ever felt to anyone in my life.”
With their unconditional love, patience and acceptance, Devonte defied all odds and has grown into a young charismatic man with a heart of gold.
You can see the entire article at:
http://www.papertrail.co.nz/meet-devonte-little-boy-big-heart/
What an incredible family.
I don’t even know what else to say.
So instead I’ll you with a few more words from Devonte’s mother.
“(We need) authentic human interactions – listening to each other – facing fears with an open heart.
Tired of hearing about racial issues??
Turn off the television, phone, and computer.
Stop feeding problems through a screen and become part of the real life solution.”
I agree 100%.
Photo of Devonte hugging police officer courtesy of
Johnny Nguyen.
— with Lesli Riskey and Daisy KMorales Pangilinan.
My friend Joe McBreen the Change Monster (post by Kirk Weisler)
(I have not read – nor am I endorsing this book- I just grabbed it for the graphic)
I have known CIO Joe McBreen for nearly 10 years. Professionally I have watched him lead, learn, grow …take on challenges, try new things and lead and inspire cultural change. It’s the kind of stuff I admire and the kind of stuff that inspires me. I have also over the past years shared some of the thoughts he sends our weekly to his team members here on the T4D blog.
Yesterday I went to visit his new blog and got to reading around. While I certainly invite you to do the same… I would like to direct you to two completely different posts that really captured me yesterday.
The first is titled “I Just Want My Kids to Be Happy is the WRONG ANSWER”
http://joemcbreen.com/i-just-want-my-kids-to-be-happy-is-the-wrong-answer/
The next is 46 @ 46 basically listing 46 things Joe has figured out so far about life at age 46. I am now working on my 50@50 and invite you to do the same. But start with Joes…it’s really good. http://joemcbreen.com/46-46-things-i-have-learned-on-my-journey-so-far/
here is a sample from it..
- You either give light or drain light. You either add or detract.
- If you are nervous or scared about taking an action then you are probably on the right path.
- You’ll never change someone with a different opinion; seek to understand them and quit wasting your energy trying to change them.
- If you do not design your life then you are choosing mediocrity at best and unhappiness almost certainly.
- The truth is often in the middle. Life is not always black and white.
- Become a change monster – get used to change, THRIVE on change, lead change but, for God’s sake, don’t sit around and wait or resist change because you are uncomfortable.
Thanksgiving is UPON us… I am thankful for each of you, for your support of the “Thought 4 the Day” -for your feedback, encouragement and shared wisdom. I am thankful for Joe and people like Joe who are out there working hard to help people realize more of their potential than they would otherwise and to live better and more meaningful lives in the process. I am thankful for the choice and opportunity I had to become a father and a husband. I realize not everyone gets to do this… and am grateful that I have been able too. I am thankful for a loving spouse, six healthy children and all the challenges and problems we have faced, have overcome, now face and will yet overcome. It’s life and I am thankful for it… ups, downs and all the rest.
I am thankful that by the time most of you read this I will most likely already be through with a surgical procedure to remove a M&M sized kidney stone. Something done so commonly these days that they say I will be walking around by tomorrow afternoon and eating turkey by Thursday. How cool is life.
Those readers in the US celebrating it… HAPPY THANKSGIVING and to those readers elsewhere around the world. Just make a happy day for yourself and others by being grateful!
Kirk Out
Push Pull Smile and Unwrap (post by Kirk Weisler)
There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. — Booker T. Washington
I am hoping you T4D readers might be open to a bit of fun today. Just in case you are not… you can stop reading after the Booker T. Washington Quote and have an amazing day! 🙂
Now for an attempt at a bit of fun. Someone sent me this joke yesterday and it reminded me of the kind of humor that was so popular back in my parents day.
Bill Allen is on his deathbed and knows the end is near. His nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, are with him.
He asks for 2 witnesses to be present and a camcorder be in place to record his wishes, and when all is ready he begins to speak:
My son, “Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses.”
My daughter “Sybil, you take the apartments over in the east end.”
My son, “Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre.”
“Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings on the banks of the river.”
The nurse and witnesses are blown away as they did not realize his extensive holdings, and as Doug slips away, the nurse says, “Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all this property”.
Sarah replies, “Property ? …. the jerk had a paper route!”
LIFE IS A GIFT, UNWRAP IT.
Kirk Out
Don’t Waste It, Spend It! (post by Kirk Weisler)
Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost part of your life. — Michael Leboeuf
I Choose a great day….
Kirk Out
A Whirlpool of Inspiration (post by Kirk Weisler)
We have a Whirlpool product somewhere in our home and I think I we have an extended warranty on it.
So when I saw an e-mail with Whirlpool in the subject line – my first thought was “Dang, I must have forgotten to remove myself from their spam engine.” As I went to delete it, something stopped me and so I took a closer look. I am so glad I did because here is what I found…
It really cleaned up my attitude for a cleaner and more caring day.
Tomorrow I will share another from their “Care Project”…that can also be used in a team or family meeting.
Caring About Culture
Kirk Out
Mzsunflower's Say What? 