REBUILD: My Ultimate Fantasy

I know what happened!

I've been feeling this STRONG love energy since early last week and now I remember what triggered it!

I needed some inspiration so I began reading some of my favorite blogs and then I googled something like "my dreams came true". This led me to The Secret website where I became engrossed in reading the stories of people who have used their imagination and faith to attract the things they want. I'm trying to do the same since it seems to work so easily for them.

Last night I did an exercise with the people I see the most at the shelter. I asked them the miracle question, which is a question from my studies of solution focused therapy that helps the client to become more aware of what they would like their life to be like.

It goes:

If you were to wake up in the morning and find that your life had changed dramatically as if by a miracle and all of your problems were solved, what would your day be like?

No one had an answer to my question so I answered my own question.

If I was to wake up in the morning and find that a miracle had happened and my life was exactly how I always wanted it to be I would...

Wake up and open one eye. Then I'd blink and open the other one. I wouldn't recognize the place because there would be a HUGE bedroom with a KING SIZED bed with fluffy sheets and plenty of pillows. There would be an entire television watching section inside the room with a cozy sofa and everything. Then there would be a HUGE patio door that leads out to a big balcony on the 2nd floor and the room would be well lit by sunlight.

I'd turn to my left and see a figure laying next to me. Who the hell is that?

The person's back would suddenly start to move and my eyes would grow wide wondering who he hell is in my bed. Then the person would turn around and smile a sleepy smile at me, pulling me close into a spooning position. Immediately I'd feel relaxed and KNOW that this is the person who I was intended to be with. THIS PERSON understands me, knows how to deal with me and motivates me to be my best everyday.

Then the person would give me a kiss and climb out of bed to get ready for a morning run around the neighborhood as I walk timidly through the house astounded by how well kept it is and how beautifully decorated it is.

Who the hell did all this? I know good and well I haven't become a house cleaner.

I finally find the kitchen and it is immaculate. The appliances are shining and my image reflected on the floor winks at me. A smiling face pops out from behind a door.

"Goodmorning Ms. Tee! Did you sleep well?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Excuse me?" she'll ask.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh Ms. Tee! You're funny today. It's me, Sasha. Your assistant. I have everything ready for your flight. It leaves in 3 hours. You'll be back in time for dinner tonight."

"Where am I going?"

"You're flying out to California to speak at a conference this morning. Did you forget?"

"What am I speaking about?" I ask cautiously.

"Well, success, I guess. That's what you're paid for. You do this a few times a month. Are you okay?"

I wipe my forehead as I continue to survey the room and walk over to the cabinets to look inside. Ooh! Honey Smacks!

"Just grab your laptop from your office and I'll meet you outside in an hour," Sasha says.

"Are you going with me?"

"Of course! But thanks to you, I'll be enjoying my birthday weekend with friends in Cali. You paid for it and my friends are there waiting for me to arrive. Thanks so much Ms. Tee!"

"Sure," I say and wince as she hugs me.

I somehow find my way to a room that is sort of set up like an office. It has a nice glass desk with a desk top monitor on it and a comfortable chair but the rest of the room is a mess. Papers are strewn everywhere and there are large pillows covering the floor. Half eaten boxes of Oreo cookies are on one shelf and so are wadded up pieces of paper.

I laugh. Now THIS looks more like a room I would be in!

I walk over to a huge wall filled with plaques and other framed certificates. There are multiple honorary doctoral degrees mounted there too. Framed letters are mixed in with the awards. Letters from women around the world thanking me for my support.

I sit down on a purple pillow and my butt hits the remote. The smooth, soothing sound of Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun album invades my senses and the sound of Time's A Wastin makes my head spin again. I remember this album. I used to listen to it every night before I went to sleep when I was at the shelter.

The shelter.

The homeless shelter.

I begin to cry.

I spent 3 months in a homeless shelter after becoming homeless on purpose to teach women how to overcome their fear of failure.

I remember. I'm crying and smiling at the same time.

That is what happened. I did it. I fumbled so much during that project and so many people ignored my calls for assistance but I made it through. I remember feeling like nothing was going to come of it. I remember feeling like nobody cared and no one was watching as I made video after video, day after day.

And then one day I got a call. Someone WAS watching. And that day my whole life changed.

I ran outside my office door as all of the memories came rushing back to me. I flew up the stairs 2 at a time and burst into the first bedroom I saw.

I beamed. My son's room!

Sai's room!

I could tell it was his because of how clean it was. He's very orderly and loves to match everything just right. A door to my left led me to his little brother Solomon's room, with matching bed sheets. I sigh. He always loved doing what his brother does. Where are they? Oh. They're at my Mom's house for the week.

Wow.

It came true!

It came true!

My biggest, most treasured dream came true!

I have a spectacular home with my sons AND there's someone who shares my room too! I wonder if we're married.

I look down at my right hand and gasp. DAYUM! What a rock!

What the hell did I get married for? I scratch my head as I try to remember.

I remember celebrating 10 years single. 11 years single. What happened after that?

Oh yeah. I met someone who had me on lockdown from the word HELLO. I laugh as I remember not even being given the CHOICE to say No. Finally, someone as BOUT IT as me who knew instantly that I was the one and wouldn't leave no matter how much I tried to break things apart.

And then I got to hear, "I'm in love with you," for the first time ever.

Wow.

Look at my life! I dreamt of this type of lifestyle since I was a little kid. I knew what I deserved. I FELT it. I had no idea it would take so long though but wasn't it a wild ride.

Sitting in that chair at the shelter. Eating those chicken salad sandwhiches. Taking the bus to two jobs just so I could raise money to help a woman pay her rent.

Ahhh. My very first grant. That was only $600. I laugh at that. I now have an entire subdivision in my name dedicated to helping women to realize their dreams of home ownership. I now send 20 high school students to college fully paid every year. I now oversee the website that started this all and I don't even write for it anymore.

My books are selling by the millions. My anxiety is gone. I perform my poetry all around the world and i donate all of the proceeds to women in distress.

Wow.

Look at my life.

I would have never guessed back when I was at that shelter. Day by day I rebuilt my life and had faith that something positive would happen. I made so many mistakes and failed so much because my goals were much larger than I could achieve alone but I don't regret having such a big vision. That vision eventually came true.

I am now so happy and grateful that I am living the life of my dreams in complete peace and happiness. My old wounds are healed. I no longer hurt and hunger. I have a safe place to sleep, work and grow. I make my own schedule and work when I WANT to.

I am loved.

I am loved.

And most of all, if I were to lose it all, I KNOW I can REBUILD AGAIN.

No fear.

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REBUILD: She Said I'll Have To Call 911

I got into my first fight at work today.

It was some bullshit for real. There's this lady who's been there for 100 years and she's slower than a snail. There is no such thing as TEAM SERVICE there so it's every waitress for herself. You have to make sure your section is full and service them by yourself but I'm so conditioned to do team service, which means helping every table that asks, that I sometimes forget that it's not my job to do that anymore.

This lady is so slow that all her tables will sit there looking sad, waiting for someone to come take care of them. I usually stop what I'm doing to get their drinks and then when I bring them back they are grateful. Then when I go do what I have to do for my tables her tables are still sitting there looking sad so I go over and get their orders.

So today the manager said, "She needs help, Tee. Go get that table."

So I went up to the table and got their drinks and they had already been waiting a while so they wanted their order taken so I did that. When I looked for her to give it to her, she was at one table and another one of her tables was looking upset as they waited for her so I just rang the order in under my name. I figured it would help her out.

Don't you know what this chick did?

She moved TWO of her tables to my section so that I couldn't take anymore tables in my section.

I went up to her and calmly asked, "Why did you move your tables to my section?"

She went off on me telling me I stole her tables and threatening me with violence. This lady is like 100 years old. I'm like, "What you gonna do?"

She said, "You're gonna have to call 911."

THEN after the managers were called and blah blah blah, 3 of her tables were still BEGGING me to come help them.

I just went to the manager and said, "Her tables still need help."

The other girls came to me and said, "Now you know, when she needs help, don't help. She's old and she's always like that."

NOW you tell me!

I'm not helping that chick anymore! I feel bad for her tables though. I don't want to ignore them but I'm not doing all her work and letting her collect the tips.

I just hate to see people looking sad or upset because they're hungry and they have a turtle for a server.

~sigh~

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REBUILD: Sincere Gratitude

I am grateful for the shelter.

I am grateful for the opportunity to earn money.

I am grateful for the chance to grow as a person through this experience.

I am grateful to recognize my weaknesses.

I am grateful to be able to teach those around me about the magic of positive thinking.

I am grateful for my counseling education that I can use to help others break free from negative patterns.

I am grateful for my sons and their father.

I am grateful for the heart I have to help heal others.

I trust that whatever will be, is my divine path.

I trust that I am being divinely guided and provided for.

I am grateful to be me.

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Just To Make You Smile: Joan Jett - Love Is All Around

Submitted By Big Jim

Here is Joan Jett performing live on the Letterman Show. Love Is All Around was the theme song from the old Mary Tyler Moore show about a single woman trying to make it in the big city. Ahead of its time. Enjoy!



Love Is All Around Lyrics

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
It's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it.
You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big
Girl this time you're all alone
It's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it.
You're gonna make it after all,
You're gonna make it after all

You're the one most likely to succeed
Just be sure you keep your head
Cause girl you know that's all you need
Everyone around you adores you
Don't give up the world is waiting for you

Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it.
You're gonna make it after all,

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who ... can suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
It's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it.
You're gonna make it after all,

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Your World News Report - June 23, 2011

Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

The Notorious Drug Lord “The Monkey” Captured

Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas known as “The Monkey”, the leader of one notorious drug cartel “La Familia” was arrested in Mexico. President Felipe Calderon of Mexico was quoted in stating this was a great blow to organized crime. La Familia has caused an immense amount of violence throughout the country including kidnapping and murder of rival gangs.

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Wal-Mart Wins

Supreme Court rules in favor of Wal-Mart in its gender discrimination class action law suit which was filed against the multibillion conglomerates. In 2001 six women filed a law suit against the corporation claiming inequitable wages—Wal-Mart has denied such claims. The Supreme Court has ruled there is insufficient evidence to support the plaintiffs claim and ruled the case could not go any further. The Plaintiffs are not giving up in their discrimination case.

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NATO Drone Helicopter Crash in Libya

NATO Drone Helicopter crashed in Libya--Libya television stations aired the wreckage of an Apache Drone Helicopter. Wing Commander Bracken reported no attack helicopters were lost and an investigation had been launched. This is the first aircraft since NATO mission against Libya started back in March.

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Greece Take One for the Team, Parliament Pass for Bail

Greek Prime Minister Papandreou’s cabinet wins confidence vote in Parliament. Greek Parliament voted to pass the bailout which will raise taxes, cut pensions, and sell Greek assets. As expected the bailout is unpopular among its citizen. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso declared Greece had no alternative--a default would have caused grave damage to the euro and even the world economy. The bailout is to reduce and help Greece’s budget deficit.

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REBUILD: Thinking About Energy

I feel so much better. No, nothing has changed, just my perspective.

The truth is, this man I'm sleeping in the same area with depresses me to no end. I literally FIGHT with him about our differing perspectives and I become so exasperated because he always chooses to see the dark side of life. He also makes me laugh. I tell him he's the worst (counseling) client I ever had.

I had to take a walk to get away from him for a little bit so I found a back alley and sat down on the ground. I called my sons and they made me laugh. They talked about summer camp and dinner and other stuff kids talk about. I relaxed after hearing their voices, knowing that they are doing very well.

There's a twinge of dissatisfaction in my heart over the fact that I am not a regular Mom who sits in the house making pies and planning up ice breakers for the neighborhood Moms meeting. Yuck. I hated doing all that socializing with Moms stuff. I don't know what kind of Mama I am.

I do know, I try to give what I always wanted to give to my sons, encouragement. My Mama didn't give that, she left me to my own and I'm glad she did that because I wouldn't have to UNLEARN her perspective of the world to create my own.

When I got back from my walk, I logged in to facebook and saw the face of another chick I know who has been on the same artistic journey that I've been on for years. She's out in LA trying to make it as an actress and comedian. She's been there for about 7 years. I think she's making progress. She's frustrated sometimes and whenever I can, I encourage her to keep going.

"Don't Stop." I posted on her facebook wall.

An hour later she wrote back, "I needed that!"

I needed that too.

Don't stop.

Don't stop.

I know in my situation I CAN'T stop, but the big dream is becoming hazy. At this point, all I dream about is having what I had before: my own place, a stable internet connection, privacy. Those are luxury items now.

Actually for the past 3 nights, I've been reading reader submitted stories from the book- THE SECRET. Remember when that came out?

I missed that boat intentionally because I don't like to follow the crowd, but then I was introduced to the same concepts through Florence Scovel Shinn's book- The Game Of Life and it literally changed my life. I became less depressed and blossomed through some unknown power and the feeling that I have some sort of control over my experience.

I have tested this philosophy out and it has worked for me. Whenever I "wish without worrying" I get what I want. When I pressure myself to get something, it doesn't happen. After studying many other philosophies like metaphysics and trying to understand the way energy flows and connects with other energies, I now understand that when I am perfectly willing to be WITHOUT the thing I want, I get it.

I'm going overboard though with my extreme non desire to be with a man. I'm so backwards that I have become disgusted by the thought of a man touching me. In fact, when a man smiles at me I want to roll my eyes.

If I use "The Secret" or energy work to change this belief that all men are out to hurt me I should start imagining that there is a man who will embrace me fully and appreciate me and protect me and blah blah.

Sorry, can't do it. If I could get through in this ONE AREA, I would be almost perfect. That's the only area I feel like I'm struggling in, my extreme disdain for men. The energy I send out when I'm with them is - Bitch get back! And they do.

Ah. When you're homeless, you have a lot of time to think about everything.

Let me go.

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REBUILD: Trying To Keep The Fire Burning

Sometimes I get into a slump but what quickly shakes me out of it is to notice my surroundings. Do I belong in a homeless shelter? No. Can I do something about it? Yes.

I have not met ONE person here with a positive outlook about life. Everyone complains and becomes depressed and tries to shoot down the dreams of others. Most people are nice, but at the same time, there is a lot of criticizing and backbiting, just like in the outside world.

So now I have a job and everyone makes a comment about how proud they are of me. I find this interesting because to people who know me FOR REAL, being a waitress is a disappointment but to the people in this shelter, I am doing big things.

I was in the trailor for mothers and children but a family became homeless and moved in about a month ago. I didn't want to stay in there with a family so I opted to move back out onto the patio and sleep on a mat. There's this 500 pound man who lives here and he's always saying that he doesn't want to be the creepy old guy but I tell him that he already is.

His "room" is a section of the patio that is closed off from the rest of the place and he can enjoy some sense of privacy. His roommate moved out and I have been sleeping in a chair in his room, where the internet connection is the strongest for some reason.

Everyday I listen to him complain about everything. He hates he food. He hates the weather. Everyone is crazy. Everyone annoys him. He hates his life. The only time he says something positive is when he's talking about me, which I don't believe because I can't be the only positive part of his equation.

So now I have two jobs and if I want to work them both I'll have to take taxi cabs or something. That's no problem for me, but there are others here who think I'll NEVER be able to get my own place while working at Denny's. They come up with all kinds of reasons why I won't be able to make it happen.

I know I can.

And even on those days when my faith becomes a little shaky, I just take a deep breath and make a new video. I lay another brick toward my success.

One of my old college friends posted a picture of an honor of being chosen as the top 40 under 40 professionals in our area. I wondered what she did to earn that and I wondered if my efforts will ever pay off. I'm not a professional but I take more risks than most. I take the risk of not being in situations that make me feel sad. I take risks of doing what I love NOW instead of waiting for permission. I take risks of being my authentic self instead of pretending to be who I think people want me to be.

So far, being ME hasn't paid off. I get nothing but head shakes and eye rolling and sighs of exasperation as people tell me I need to get it together.

My friend's fiance said that to me last week as I stood out in the sun collecting donations with my bucket. "When are you going to get it together?" he said with a disgusted look on his face.

And you know what? Even on those days as I watch others prosper or those days when men look at me in disgust, you know what I do? I just, decide to take another step toward my goal. I lay another brick. I write another article. I make another phone call. I read another book.

I try to do SOMETHING to keep the fire burning. As long as it's lit, I'm okay.

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REBUILD: Old & New Fantasies

I finally finished training at work which means I get to keep my tips from now on instead of having to hand them over to my trainer; ah, the joys of hazing. She's a nice young lady who has the vibe that she will become a manager one day. It's the way she works and teaches. She seems like a leader to me.

This morning I went in and stood near the kitchen window waiting for customers to come in. I listened as all of the other female servers chatted and I felt kind of sad. They talked about their boyfriends and their drama and their kids and their friends and hanging out and other co workers and if at any point I could have chimed in, I would have but I have nothing to add about those topics.



I have not told anyone about my project because I don't want people to judge me by my lifestyle or be rude to me because I have to audacity to try something like this.

My friends? Well, I speak to them sparingly. They all know what I am doing and this is not something that is so outrageous to them because they know my capabilities. I haven't hung out with anyone besides my little sister since the project began and I have only seen her when she came to visit me while I was collecting donations on the street corners.

My kids? Well, It's been a month since I've seen them. A donation made our last visit possible and now I'm saving every penny to be able to move into my own place so spending money on a hotel room for us again is out of the question. They want to see me and I want to see them but as far as I can tell, they are okay. Their dad is taking excellent care of them and they are in summer camp and enjoying themselves.

Hanging out? Um. I went to karaoke for 20 minutes last week only to find that they changed everything and I don't want to go there anymore.

Boyfriends? Well, you know the deal. I've been single for 9 1/2 years and that makes me feel proud and safe, yet I long to make a heart connection with someone but I believe this environment won't allow it. I wonder if there's anyone out there who thinks like me and would understand me. So far, I haven't found it in anyone.

Believe it or not, today my thoughts lingered over my last crush. He was a nerdy man and he wasn't that cute and there was no way we could have EVER been together but I still liked him, in my mind. During that time I was in love with him in my mind, I was so happy. Everyday I would wake up thinking about him and when I got to see him I would walk away floating. I remember being so happy for all of those months and then, it ended, because it had to and then I enjoyed the pain of lost love for a while and then I began this project.

But today I allowed myself the time to remember back when I was in love with him in my head. It was so much fun to imagine all the ways I would seduce him and force him to do sexual acts and how he would be eager to please me in every way. I swear, being a dominatrix seems to be right up my alley as the days go by.

I miss that feeling. I miss the way he smiled at me. I miss the energy that flowed between us. I miss imagining him wanting me and smiling myself to sleep at night. Even though I knew it was all a fantasy, It still felt good.

What's my next fantasy? Well, my birthday is 2 weeks away. I know it's asking for a lot but somehow, someway, I'd like to get the rest of my 30 businesses to get on board to support women in distress and raise enough money to offer one month's rent as a grant to a woman in distress AND be able to move into my own place before my birthday.

I mean, anything could happen. Right?

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Keep Going

It does not matter what it looks like from the outside.

It does not matter what they are saying about you.

It does not matter how things turned out in the past.

It does not matter what is working for everyone else.

It does not matter how long you've been trying.

All you have to do is KEEP GOING!

KEEP GOING!

KEEP GOING!

And you'll get there.

~hugs~

For My Savvy Sisters: Have you ever been in tough spot and simply "kept going" and you walked right into your blessing? Share your story.

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EDITORIAL: Poverty and the Changing Landscape

By Christina Fermin

Politics & Society Columnist

In a world where there are 6.9 billion people in the world, 3 billion people live off of less than $2.50 a day and 80% of the world’s population lives off of less than $10 per day. In a world where there are 2.2 billion children, 1 billion of those children live in poverty. 70% of the worlds poor are women, and of the almost 1 billion people who are illiterate 2/3 of them are women. In rural areas, the numbers are even more staggering, 3 of out every 4 people live off of less than $1 a day. Today it seems as though the poor are mostly women and children, and as the income disparity among the world widens more and more people are falling into this category, I know I live off of less than $10 per day.

Water is the largest threat to the human population in this century, water effects almost half of the world’s population. 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water and 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation. Almost half of people in developing countries suffer from water or sanitation related illness’ every year. Millions of women every day spend hours collecting water. 12% of people living in developed nations use 85% of the world’s water. That is an extraordinary number, that 12% most likely includes you and I. The average person only uses 20 liters of water per day, while here in the U.S. the average water use is 600 liters per day. Wow!

As of 2011 there are 1,210 billionaires in a world where there are 6,925,847,078 people. These are the 0.13% of people who control most of the world’s resources and finances. These are the people who dictate policies, governments and corporations. Their bottom line is profit, profit at all costs, profit which does not have a face, a personality, a need or an emotion. These 1,210 billionaires could literally WIPE OUT poverty tomorrow if they wanted to. When I looked up the wealthiest companies in the world, there were over 200 companies that profited more than 40 billion dollars last year! Imagine if every one of these companies contributed a mere 5% of their profits to solving the problems of the world?

Poverty has nothing to do with being lazy, different, or weak. Poverty stems from years of bad policies, bad decisions and corruption. Policies and decisions which benefit a small group of people and corporations at the expense of the people of this world. For every $1 in aid a developed country gets, $25 is spent on debt repayment. Poverty stems from the bad policies of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, other similar institutions and developed nations. Treaties such as the North American Trade Agreement and the Central American Trade Agreement should be repealed because they only benefit corporations.

This model is failing. The economies around the world have collapsed, middle classes around the world are disappearing, corporate profits and CEO earnings have risen exponentially while taxes for them have disappeared, it is as though the world has gone hay wire. As the old ways crumble and fall and the reality of what our world really looks like comes to light more people are disliking what they see. Thanks to the internet we are now realizing we are all the same, there are minor differences but we all share the same feelings, emotions and goals. As the old world crumbles we must give birth to the new world. A world I see that is free of poverty, hunger and suffering. It is time we each stood up to the machine; demand from your elected official, demand from your favorite companies, demand from your local providers, it is up to us the people to change things, and unless you do not want to make the world a better place it is time to stand up for humanity and make a stand.

Here are some websites and blogs to check out:

http://www.endpoverty2015.org/

http://awakeningasone.com/

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-global-poverty

http://www.takepart.com/news/2009/02/17/top-10-non-profits-fighting-poverty/

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/423/the-invention-of-money

http://www.auditthefed.com/

http://www.thevenusproject.com/

http://www.naturalnews.com/

http://www.corporations.org/solutions/

http://wikileaks.ch/index.html

http://www.goldmansachs666.com/

http://www.whyweprotest.net/

http://anonops.blogspot.com/

http://www.wbbeurope.org/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/boycott-koch-brothers-products-where-to-start.php

Peace & Harmony,

Christina

About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

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REBUILD: Mama's Got A New Bag

I got tired of listening to the people here at the shelter complain about everything so I decided to take matter into my own hands. From the people who are around me consistently, I made them listen to me speak about thoughts becoming things and I asked each of them to speak out loud something that they wanted to happen.

The first lady said, "I want to get into school and get started with my education."

When I moved to the next guy and asked, "What would you like to happen?" He paused for a couple of seconds in thought and then the door opened. His eyes grew wide as a blonde haired young lady walked in to see him. Before she could say a word he looked at me and said, "That was it."

I laughed.

After she left he turned to me and said, "You're almost making me a believer."

I laughed.

I took my turn and said, "I'd like a really good laugh. I'd like to smile really BIG and I'd like my phone to ring with some good news."

Today I had a great day at work, ended my training and then smiled all the way back to the shelter. When I got back, I was talking to the women upstairs and one of them said, "Tee, when I was out vending (the newspaper) the other day, someone came by with a big bag of donations, clothes and things. I got this bag and it was pretty dirty but I cleaned it up."

She reached onto a shelf and pulled out a black Guess bag and handed it to me to inspect. My heart leapt. "Ooh!" I said. "I like it! But I don't have any money to buy it from you," I said.

"It's okay, Tee. When I saw it I said, 'I bet Tee would like this. I saved it for you!"



I couldn't stop SMILING!

Now I have a bag for my laptop and a smaller bag that I can use as a purse and I don't have to carry around that big bag anymore!

I am so happy to have a small bag for my personal stuff! So happy! So happy!

I know it's just someone's used bag, but it means a lot to me. I don't have much and this purse is a big deal.

I am sooo happy!

Then after I got the bag, the first lady I spoke with came to me and said, "Hey! My wish came true!"

"What happened?" I asked.

"Well, not the one from last night but the other day I was just saying to myself that I wished I had some KFC and today while I was working in the kitchen a man came by and said he had 20 buckets of KFC that he wanted to donate."

"Dayum!" I said. "That's crazy because just this morning I was wishing for some KFC too! I think we should make wishes everyday!

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