Guest Blog -- Debbie Williams

Another guest blog as we dive further into summer.  This week's blog comes from Debbie Williams.  Debbie is with Avista Utilities and has as long a career with community service as most people aspire to.  She's former chair of the local Girl Scouts Council and has held every leadership role at United Way except treasurer.  How'd she miss that?!  Debbie remains committed to community, to children and to changing our world.  This is how Debbie lives united!

There is so much in this world to be cherished and protected.  Starting with a major wake-up call on September 11, 2001, along with the recent disappearance of Kyron and the tragic death of Kacy, I have been reminded that there are so many parts of my life that I have taken for granted—for far too long.  These events have made me painfully aware that violence, intolerance and hate have become the focus and that differences are profiled more than commonality. 

It is time to teach acceptance and tolerance in a new way.  You and I must begin with our children—those precious gifts.  They are the key to changing our focus away from hate and on to acceptance and appreciation.

To start making such a change, you and I must begin treating our children like the precious miracles that they are.  Finding a way to show each child that they are loved, they are special, they are important, and that they are not alone.  What they have to give to the special people in their lives matters.  What they have to give to the world matters.  Every person is significant.  You and I must teach our children that differences are settled through understanding, not violence, and we must teach them that life is a precious gift to be treasured, just as they are treasured by us.

Making a difference starts with you and me—one person at a time, choosing to be that person in a child’s life.  All children, no matter their race, religion, gender, physicality, or socio-economic circumstance, are deserving of the opportunity to grow up loved, respected, and valued.  And if they know there is a community, a nation, a world that honors their presence and strives to join together in building an environment of acceptance and tolerance, they will carry that legacy into the future.

It starts right now, with one person.  Will you—will I be that person?  Will you—will I accept the challenge to improve the world, starting with a child?  Yes, I will.