The “Right” Stuff

Anyone reading my blog knows that my heroes of life are usually local family or friends, which I admire greatly.
Let me introduce you to....
...Carla Maria Fernandez....our son, Chuck and Terry’s 17 yr. old daughter.
Incidentally, she is the “Family Marine’s” sister.

Carla has always been - - - old.
As a young child she acted like an old lady.
She would close herself off, alone in her room for hours on end, playing and entertaining herself to her hearts content.
Her Dad would often say, “What’s she doing in there? She needs to be with the family.” Terry would predict....”When she is ready, she will come and join us.”
Sure enough, sooner or later, Carla would appear....calm, cool and collected...a serene 5-year-old ready to join the world again.
Carla has always had.....and still does have...her own agenda!!!
About two years ago we took her to Coco Beach for the week-end.
Carla would get up each morning in the hotel....and quietly do her morning devotions, without anyone telling or suggesting such....before she took her 30-min. showers each day!
Now, in 2003, Carla at 17 yrs. of age is one of the most ’well rounded’ and ’healthy minded’ young ladies that I know.
One of her goals is to be a Pediatrician.
In 2002 she was nominated to attend a seminar called...National Youth Forum Leadership on Medicine. Her school recommended her.
After much discussion and finding out that the cost would be approx. $1500. to $2000. It was decided that she would not attend.
Many of us in the family, Chad especially, wanted to do a family fund raiser for Carla.
Her parents, Chuck and Terry, after much prayer made the final decision that Carla would not attend that conference.
Not me....I was willing to do whatever it took to see that ’my Carla’ was able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Her parents were right!
Just recently she was nominated again...along with her girlfriend this time...to be a part of another conference called the National Youth Leadership Conference in Michigan.....
With all expenses paid in full. Plane fare, conference fees, accommodations etc.
This will be in July.
Talking about ’answer to prayer’....this is it.
It seems that this particular Conference is founded by someone that I am quite familiar with his background.
A man called William H. Danforth who wrote a book years ago called....I Dare You...(To Be Great) and was used as a motivational book by our son, Chad, while attending the Riverside Military Academy.
Danforth was founder of Ralston Purina Company and founded the...American Youth Foundation.
This Foundation is the financial support for this leadership conference, which Carla will attend.
Carla with a very nonchalant attitude tells me about this selection and was happy that her girlfriend was chosen as well. Yet she never expressed regret when the decisions were made for her not to attend the 2002 Forum.
Carla’s nature is.... Tranquility!
Her brothers pest her to death that she is.....slow.
Carla is by nature..... thorough, detail oriented, painstakingly specific.....and at peace with herself that she is......different!
Our family refers to her as our ‘exotic creature’.
Exotic and unique....that’s our Carla.
She’s a.....Champion!

For a picture go to:
photos.yahoo.con/iwg2003