My son Devin is a 12 year old at Veteran's Memorial Middle School and most of our Be There moments occur in the car. When I am with him in the car, especially right after school, he is full of energy and as we ride we discuss everything from homework to sports . . . even girls (smile). No cell phones, text messages are allowed and even if the radio is playing, it is very low. He loves it. He gets my attention and I just listen. If there is a problem we discuss it right then, sometimes right in the parking lot at school. At home during dinner, we don't answer the phone at all, it's our time to talk. We have family meetings once a week. If there is a problem or concern it can be discussed without interruption. Anyone can call a family meeting at anytime and everyone in the family must attend. During family meetings if there is nothing we need to discuss then we tell jokes or play a game.

Eva Smith

Columbus, GA

A number of years ago, my nine-year-old niece and I witnessed a bad car accident in which a woman had to be airlifted to the hospital. My niece was so shaken up by the accident and all of the drama involved that she became physically ill. When we were cleared to move out of the area, (we were the first car behind the accident), I tried to think of a way to lessen her fears of accidents and to reassure her that ambulances were not just for deceased patients. On the way home, I stopped at an ambulance sub-station to see if my niece could talk to some EMTs and Paramedics to better understand their roles. They went above and beyond to explain many aspects of their jobs. My niece had her pulse taken through the paddles that are placed on the chest to shock cardiac patients, and she received a print out of her heartbeat. She was taken inside the ambulance and shown all the supplies that may be needed and how they are all neatly organized and stocked. She was put into a pressure suit and some pressure was put on her body to understand how and why they are used to control blood flow to the major organs during trauma.

We had a very informative visit. Her fears had been calmed and she is now studying to be an attorney in the medical field. She still says today it was the best personal "Field Trip" she has ever had in her life. It was truly enriching to both of us . . . a special time that we shared. I believe if more parents and family members spent time with their children to help them understand life lessons, not only would the children be more informed, but it would create special times together.

Amberly L. Snapp 
Marion County, Florida

My Maw and I went to my friends Ken and Barbara Crowder's farm. They had planted a turnip patch. I learned you plant a seed and it grows a turnip which is a root and then it has salad greens growing on top of the turnip. They are plentiful in the fall and early winter. I got to pull the turnip up and twist the salad greens off. My Maw cooked the salad greens and the turnips in separate pots. They do not smell good cooking. I do not eat them but my Maw does and she shares them with her family and friends. They really do enjoy them.

Quintin Harold Holiday
Third Grade
New Vision School of Math, Science and Technology
Rockingham County Schools

On a recent trip to the mountains of GA, my two daughters were asked to help their dad and I to stack wood for the fire. Being Floridians, this did not sound like a good day of fun for the girls. My oldest, 10, replied, "That sure sounds like fun" in a most sarcastic tone of voice. After about 10 minutes into our stacking endeavor, they both were laughing and competing as to who could get the wood the fastest. It just goes to show that the simple things in life are often overlooked and can end up being a great amount of fun.

Dawn Henline
Cape Coral, FL

Once when my son Max was about to be in a Christmas pageant at church, he was relating a story about how another child had been misbehaving and had gotten into trouble with the director. My wife, Heidi, remarked, "Well Max, a wise man learns not only from his own mistakes, but also from the mistakes of others" to which Max replied, "But I'm not a Wise Man, I'm a Shepherd." Hiding back our laughter, we were able to turn this into a learning situation for Max.

Shane Pinkston,
Martinsville, Virginia

My daughter and I were in California on vacation and were making a purchase in a store. The sales clerk was unpleasant and actually threw the change at me. I remained calm and thanked the clerk. When we left the store, my daughter said, "Dad, did you see how she treated us?" "Sure," I replied. "But, honey, you just never know what's going on in other people's mind, so I always try to remain calm and stay cool when people react so negatively. " At a later time, my daughter had a similar experience with one of her friends. She remembered my response and remained calm, which diffused the situation immediately."

Ben Gravely,
Martinsville, Virginia

I'm writing regarding our family's Be There Experience. My son's name is Bear and my daughter is Ashley. My son Bear attends Largo High School, and will be 15 in 1 week; my daughter attends Largo Central Elementary and she will be 12 in 3 weeks. Both of these schools are located in Pinellas County and we just started partnering with the Be There Program. I think it is a fanatasic and needed program. My husband and I would always take advantage of our drives in the van to Be There as early as pre-k. We would have the kids find letters on the street signs, discuss what certain street signs mean, find words on business signs and billboards. Our favorite game was the alphabet game. Doing this has grown into a Huge Discussion One-on-One with our children.

We live approximately 10 miles from Clearwater Beach. In kindergarten, my son asked us to go for a cruise on the beach. This drive can take usually 1 hour. That first time, we found out it opened up a valuable conversation time for us. No phones, TV, siblings, neighbors, pets or any other disctraction. He is now a freshman in high school and we still go for cruises on the beach. We talk about so many different issues. My daughter has picked up on this special time too. You just can't compare 1/8 tank of gas to a wonderful, no strings attached, conversation with your teenager and pre-teen. We never pass up the chance to Be There and a Cruise On The Beach Request.

Thank you for a wonderful progam and have a groovy kinda day!!
Debbie & Rick Stotts
Largo, Florida

Our Be There moment is a dedication to our fourth grade son's teacher, Ms. Shauna Krueger at Myakka River Elementary, who devoted herself and her knowledge to our son when she knew he needed it the most. Moving to a new state and a new school is tough enough, but then having an entirely different curriculum is frustrating for a ten-year-old child. Our son Chance was lost. Ms. Krueger knew that he was struggling, but she also knew that he had it in him to hang in there and excel as he did in his prior school. She never gave up on Chance. Although my husband and I supported him at home and kept in close touch with Ms. Krueger, she guided us along the way. Team effort and Chance's hard work helped him to bounce back to honor roll level.

We have to remember and thank our teachers who truly care about their students. But, we also have to reward and acknowledge the students who work hard to achieve. This is success at its finest!

Renee Galloway
Charlotte County, Florida

It's amazing how Being There gives back to you and your children in so many ways. The more you do it, the more it becomes your mindset--and you notice the whole family thinking, living, acting from that place, finding a way to enjoy every situation.even being locked out!

The first week we moved into our new home, amidst family transition, we were locked out. While we waited for our realtor to bring the spare set of keys to us, my eldest son pointed out an amazing rainbow arched over our new home. It was beautiful to behold, yet even more beautiful was what he said.

"Mom, if we hadn't been locked out, we would never have seen the rainbow because we would have been inside instead of outside!" What a moment!

My rearview mirror has become my Be There radar! It's so much fun to look into it as a view to the back seat?.both boys buckled in, a captive audience ripe for real conversation.

We're in the groove of making the most of the morning drive to school as a way to set our 'intention' for the day. And our drive home is to share our "highlights" of the day and our plans for the evening that lies ahead.