This is so funny to me to hear how ou felt about Gary! He was my neighbor and we rode the bus together….he pestered me all the time on the bus. I loved basketball back then and it was a blast watching him play but on the bus he was always being a pest! Lol haven’t thought about those bus rides for a long time!

I think many of us have the same feelings about not being good enough. There is and always will be someone who does it better. What we have to realize is we were created unique and we each have talents and gifts. We just have to find what it is and then use it to make a difference in the lives of others. Being a listener and making others feel beautiful and important is a gift, Eddie. There are so many people who feel they are worthless and that is just not true! I see so many children that have such a low self esteem and I want them to know that they have great worth! Wow, didn’t mean to write so much but am passionate about this!

I’m THRILLED you wrote so much Terenda!!! Appreciate you passion, kindness, and support!!! Thank you for lending your voice to Farm Stories!!! xoxo

The value of an honest listener, one who is hearing and processing both the obvious and implied thoughts, is a rare and precious commodity! How many times in our lives do we talk to somebody about something meaningful and get an answer like ‘uh-huh?’ Being able to respond positively and make someone feel good about themselves, without blowing smoke, is an attribute that takes years to develop for some. For others, it comes naturally. You, my dear, are a natural! <3

What a wonderful world this would be if everyone tried to make someone feel special and not put them down ! And you’re right glitter does make everything beautiful!!! We’re all about the glitter Eddie!!! Xoxo

I have a very different perspective of Gary. He was in my study hall and I saw him as not perfect at all. I am certain that it had a great deal to do with my role and my personal perspective and bias as well. I have crossed paths with many “Garys” over my 40 years in education. Seldom are they the real deal. The hype seems to always hide an insecure individual with many problems. I always felt that you and your friends were always much more grounded in reality.

that one went deep for me. really real, velveteen rabbit.

Eddie, every time I sat in your chair, I did feel so much prettier. We talked, we laughed, and you always brightened my day. Thank you for sharing your gift with those of us who were lucky enough to have you magically transforming us.

There’s that “voice” you were telling me about again….I am intrigued 🙂

Wait, you mean I wasn’t the only one you made feel beautiful?? 🙂 You truly did give that gift, you have that gift!

This one hit home.
You ARE beautiful, Eddie. I am sprinkling glitter tonight

I loved the story, but the last paragraph is what really brought it home to me. I have always been overweight, that is who I was, I was not Jolene, the person under the weight. Since I have “grown up” I have come to realize that, as you stated above, perfection is a myth! You can either accept me for the caring, loving person I am or you can, as Flo would say, “Kiss My Grits”!
And you are right, glitter doesn’t have to be seen for it to make something beautiful!
I wish I had known you in school!
Love the articles and keep up the great work!

Beautiful……we all have something to offer others….I think sometimes finding out what that something is is the challenge. So glad you discovered yours!! ❤️

And you my dear friend always have made me feel special. Thank you Eddie, my dad would have been proud for you to use his photo and proud of me for having such a sweetheart for a friend. ❤️

You always have a way of making everyone feel special. You have the ability to listen and you truly care about others. You look deeper into people souls and not everyone takes the time to do that. A true gift and a what very special person you are! I’ve always felt the more perfect people in this world are the ones that see themselves as imperfect. Too many perfect people walking around out there anyway! Love, love reading your incredibly touching stories! Keep them coming and keep touching our souls!

So beautiful…. Thank you Sherry…. I’m so touched….
Thank you for your support of Farm Stories…..

Once again, a wonderful trip down memory lane. I was in elementary school when Winslow had this dream team. I was obsessed with watching them play, probably because my dad loved basketball and I wanted to be like him. I went to every game and then came home and relived every cheer that the cheerleaders did. I did them in the basement so my brother wouldn’t make fun of me, haha! I guess you wanted to be Gary and I wanted to be the cheerleaders. As best I can remember Josie, Darlene, Debbie, Jenny and the rest. I can see faces, buy their names escape me. I was never a cheerleader, but I always tried out, and always felt like a failure because I never made it. Thanks for reminding me that we all have things we are good at. You are a genius at making people feel good about themselves and bringing out the best in people. Keep up the great work!

Eddie, you are such an inspiration to anyone who has the pleasure to know you. I love reading Farm Stories.

You never fail to hit a home run….and that home run could be different for each of us. HUGE hug!! XOXO

…and we do indeed toss allot of glitter!

Eddie, another wonderful entry to your unfolding story. Piece by piece, layer by layer we learn more about you and more importantly about ourselves. We are never alone as there is and will always be a common thread in all our lives. You have done your best by putting it out there to inspire and to reach others in order for them to search out their best. Awaiting the next post. xoxo

To Me…Beauty is finding the best in everyone too, unfortunately it took me until my adult years to find out. So I try to never Compare or judge just observe. I really really liked this writing . Good job !!!

Love the story & the picture, Gary was another soul taken away too soon. He is likely tossing glitter because you included him in your Farm Stories. loved it

Beautifully said! What we have, each of us, is the power to find what we love and allow our passion to provide the polish. And we are, each of us, so much more than just the *one* thing; more than basketball, or singing or writing. Riches are to be mined in the places where these things come together. Your memories, intersecting with your ability to call forth the beauty or pain or other subtle combination of feeling in each, are truly intersecting with the voice you’ve been refining all your life. No other voice is like it. No other voice will BE like it, as it gets stronger, finer, softer, bolder…no other voice.
xo