By Susan V. Simon / L’Observateur / October 28, 1998

DEAR EDITOR: The articles dated Oct. 10 from Currents: Straight Talk From StraightKids, “Using the gifts that God gave,” by Geoffrey Michel, and “Overcoming Obstacles: Despite disabilities, Zerena Arvie has a vision for the future” by Deborah Corrao, filled me with so many emotions that I stopped reading immediately in order to record my thoughts as they raced through my head.

How ironic, yet so perfectly fitting, that two articles that sent out a much-needed message should appear simultaneously. I commend both ofthese young people for their determination and commitment for wanting to make a difference.

If only their ambition and desire to live a fulfilling life would be contagious enough to spread into the minds and hearts of other young people, I am certain that every adult would feel truly blessed.

Michel said: “A person without fingerprints leaves no marks, no prints, no evidence of where he has been. And a person who is lazy and doesn’t usethe gifts God has placed in him, will not leave any marks in this life.” Thisis so true.

Even though Zerena does not have fingerprints because of her disability, she has a vision or, as Dr. King said, a dream; and that is to be a self-fulfilling, productive, contributing member of our society.

Both Michel and Arvie are determined to leave their marks; not to spread false hopes, but belief and trust; not for crime and violence, but to serve God and others; not to hold guns and weapons, but to hold the pen of knowledge which leads to a better life. What a wonderful analogy! Thanks,Geoffrey and Zerena! After reading these articles, I recalled the words of a famous poem: “…I shall pass this way but once.Any good that I can do, let me do it now.

For I shall not pass this way again.”Susan V. Simon

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