/  Jaywalker   /   NOLA 2014

NOLA 2014 plaqueIt was a Christian home, marked by crucifixes on the walls, an open bible on the coffee table. Ms. Nita prepared for us the best gumbo we had ever tasted, deep and rich, the product of generations. It was her thank you to the volunteers who had come to share this long awaited day, her day of homecoming. She had been waiting 9 years. She shared with us a simple and familiar message. “Keep Coming Back”, for there are many still waiting, waiting for their turn to make the gumbo of gratitude.

Upon a hallway wall hung a simple plaque, with words of wisdom, with words of recovery, for all to take heed. After all, we are all in recovery from something. It is where our humanity resides.

“LIVE THE LIFE YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF

BE FEARLESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

NEVER STOP LEARNING

BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE

RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU

BE THE ARCHITECT OF YOUR OWN DESTINY

THIS LIFE IS YOURS TO CREATE.”

Amen

We of Solutions have been to NOLA on a number of occasions. We “Keep Going Back” because of people like Ms. Nita. We have encountered many, and the gumbo of life they share with us, it’s the best we’ve ever had.

Dan Reed

Program Director

Jaywalker Solutions