Some Day It Will Matter: Every Kid in Trouble Needs a Special Angel. We All Have it in Us to be One.

By Suzanne Geimer, Kelly Geimer Lance and Jon Walmsley

Raising kids and a family is hard enough in today's world, but it's the things that are never said that can be detrimental. Parents, guardians, teachers and others who are too busy to notice the subtle hints of trouble ahead can be suddenly surprised to find they have a real problem on their hands. Then of course, they must be prepared to deal with it.
Through this book, mother and daughter Suzanne and Kelly share the story of their own personal struggles, how they learned to communicate effectively and what they experienced over the years in their work with troubled teens at runaway
shelters, drug and alcohol treatment programs, camps and other venues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9780984521517

Book preview

The tragedy and heartache of others that is shared with us makes our lives better through the lessons we have learned from them. Thanks Suzanne.

—TIM SWEENEY

www.timsweeney.com

The universal language of music touches us on levels that have a profound effect on one’s body, soul and mind. A single lyric can inspire, heal, instill confidence and be a means of expression and communication. When combined with the heart, its power is immeasurable! When shared with kids in need or those who have lost their way … the gift of music can transform. Special Angel does this in spades!

—Leanne Summers

President, Los Angeles Women in Music (LAWiM)

www.lawim.com

COPYRIGHT © 2010, SPECIAL ANGEL MEDIA

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or recording without express prior written permission from the publisher.

The authors of this book do not dispense medical advice. Our intent is to offer information of a general nature to provide inspiration and motivation that may aid you in any quest you have for better mental and physical health.

We also offer links to many educational sites that offer a wealth of information that could be beneficial to those seeking answers to serious addiction and mental health problems.

The authors and the publisher assume no responsibility for information listed on these sites. You should always consult your primary physician for advice concerning any medical problems.

First Edition

First Printing

Published by

Special Angel Media

P.O. Box 7171

Beverly Hills, California 90212-7171

[e-mail]

www.specialangel.com

Cover Design: Lynn M. Snyder, [e-mail]

Special Angel logo: Howard Senft, www.howardsstudios.com

Front Cover: Photo of Kelly and friends on Hilton Head Island Beach in 1980.

Front Cover Photography: Martin Geimer.

Back Cover: Suzanne and Kelly.

Back Cover Photo: Scout Hebinck, www.scouthebinck.com

Back Cover: Hilton Head Island Beach

Background Photo: Michael Lamarre, www.picturesofthelowcountry.com

Book Design and Layout: Lynn M. Snyder

ISBN: 978-0-9845215-0-0

ISBN: 9780984521517

Printed in the United States of America.

The greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising up every time we fall.

—CONFUCIUS, CHINESE PHILOSOPHER

For Marty

My wonderful husband and Kelly’s Dad …

You have always believed in us. Your trust, support and dedication has carried us through all of life’s ups and downs.

You drove us everywhere, sang along with us, and continue to be our #1 fan!

For Marty Geimer Jr.

Rob, Alie, Ryan and Kyle

May we continue to grow.

The work of The Special Angel Project is dedicated to the memory of Carl Lawrence.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

TURN ON THE RADIO ∼

THE MAGICAL POWER OF MUSIC

Teens Don’t Listen to Lectures

1.  The Promise

2.  The Gift

3.  We Learn From the Past

4.  The Corners of Your Life

5.  The Idea and the Phone Call

6.  The Problem

7.  Giving, Learning and Growing Through Music

8.  Listen To Their Voices

9.  The Circle is Complete

10.  Kelly Looks Back

11.  Some Day It Will Matter

Conclusion

Recommended Sites

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Jon Walmsley

About the Cover

Foreword

Suzanne Geimer is an angel. I’m sure that’s what accident victims believe when they arrive at Cedars-Sinai Emergency room and see her smiling face. For many years she has worked as a nurse, helping patients survive trauma. When their injuries proved to be fatal, she has stood at their side, holding their hands, comforting and reassuring them as they passed. Suzanne is a woman who cares deeply for others. If we are meant to have a mission in life, surely this is hers.

The Special Angel Project was created 17 years ago by Suzanne with her husband Marty and their daughter Kelly, supported by a cast of talented musicians who believed in her goal of reaching at-risk teenagers through music. Many of these kids had already experienced the pain of abuse, running away from home, drug use and prostitution. I began working with Suzanne and Kelly as a guitarist, vocalist and musical director in 1995, when they invited me to join them in programs at local shelters in Los Angeles. I saw first-hand the tremendous power that music had on these kids. Most surprising to me was to see urban kids moved by country music, something most of them had never listened to or had any interest in. The songs obviously touched the kids; sometimes they laughed, often they cried, and almost always the songs paved the way for deeper communication, allowing the kids to open up to Suzanne and to their counselors.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, kids are like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get. Each of us is pre-wired with genetically passed traits, talents and appearance. Our lives begin with a clean slate. What happens in our early years determines the paths we will take. As a young actor on The Waltons and other shows, I had the opportunity to work with many child performers. We’ve probably all seen interviews on TV with child actors whose lives didn’t go well after their star faded. Stories of drug and alcohol abuse, failed marriages, criminal records and suicide are not uncommon. In my experience, without exception, these problems stemmed from a breakdown in the family unit. It could be something as seemingly insignificant as lack of communication or attention, leading to low self-esteem. When kids feel un-cared for, they tend to seek comfort and approval elsewhere, often gaining acceptance in the wrong crowd. People often point to The Waltons as an example of how a family should be. Perhaps that’s not far from the truth. John and Olivia Walton gave their kids time and attention. They were involved in their kids’ lives. Boundaries were set early on. As parents, they monitored the kids’ schoolwork and who their friends were. They encouraged the children’s spiritual development. Changes in appearance or attitude were addressed. Most importantly, the Waltons communicated. Meals were spent in conversation around the kitchen table. The family certainly faced challenges. Story lines exposed the characters to situations involving teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Ultimately, the family succeeded due to their ability to work through problems together.

In Someday It Will Matter, Suzanne tells her personal story of family dysfunction through three generations, of the tragic and unnecessary loss of loved ones, of the near loss of her own teenage daughter and the eventual triumph of her reunited family. It is the goal of the Special Angel Project and of this book to guide kids and families in crisis, that they may work through their own challenges to lead happy, healthy, successful lives. Someday it will matter; and someday is now.

JON WALMSLEY

LONG BEACH, CA

MARCH, 2010

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICE WILLIAMS

With the Special Angel Band at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles. Ron Finn, Jon Walmsley, Kelly, Suzanne, Todd Tatum, Denny Croy

Preface

TURN ON THE RADIO ∼ THE MAGICAL POWER OF MUSIC

At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.

—CHRISTOPHER REEVE (1952-2004)

AMERICAN ACTOR

This is the story of a journey, an awakening, a promise and a dream of using music to help others. It was born of an experience that taught me how to listen and to know what is really important in life. It is a story told with the help of my daughter and many voices from the handwritten notes of teens we have met and worked with since 1990. Through our own struggles we learned to communicate effectively and in doing so we taught others the importance of talking about feelings and following their dreams.

Through a series of sometimes difficult events in our life, we found that music was the catalyst that helped to move us forward and to open communication with the many teens and families we have worked with over the years. It is our sincere hope that our story will inspire you to listen to the music of your life and look for ways to be a special angel to a young person in need.

A good song brings out feelings that we may react to in different ways based on our own experiences. A well written song can help us connect to a memory we thought we had forgotten and also open discussion based on the feelings brought up by the song. Sometimes we may think the writer is surely speaking straight to us and wonder how he knew so much about our life.

I learned the art of song writing from a master songwriter and he taught me even more about understanding myself and following my dream. Every time you turn on the radio you connect with someone who has written about your life in some way. Listen and connect, and keep in mind the power of music to lift and heal your spirit. Music is a magical and powerful thing. A good song lives on and on.

—SUZANNE GEIMER

Turn on the Radio

© EMI April/New and Used Music (ASCAP)

Peter McCann and Suzanne Geimer

There’s that song again

Just like an understanding friend

Who takes your hand and knows just what to do

They made that melody

And now they play it just for me

And the singer seems to know just what I’m going through

Turn on the Radio

I let my feelings go

He tells me everything is gonna be alright

I wish I could meet that man

He seems to understand

Just how much I’m missing you tonight

My life’s in every note

And just like the letter that you wrote

I read it ‘til I knew each word by heart

I’m gonna buy that song

And I’m gonna play it all night long

I’ll know what to do when the record falls apart

Turn on the radio

I let my feelings go

He tells me everything is gonna be alright

I wish I could meet that man

He seems to understand

Just how much I’m missing you tonight

To hear this song and others we perform with The Special Angel Band, you can purchase our CD’s at www.specialangel.com

All proceeds go to Special Angel Inc. to help us continue our work using music to help teens and families

Teens Don’t Listen to Lectures

Children need models rather than critics.

—-JOSEPH JOUBERT, FRENCH PHILOSOPHER

THE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS FACING YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES in today’s world relating to alcohol and drug abuse, violence, sexual abuse, depression and teenage runaways are spoken of daily through various media outlets. The numbers continue to rise. In the end we are all affected. Eventually, someday it will matter if these young people don’t learn how to express and understand their feelings in a healthy manner. Most of all, they need to have a healthy, loving and accepting environment to grow in with parents or guardians who are tuned in to the subtle changes that can alert them to possible problems.

Many parents spend sleepless nights wondering where their teens are and how to help them turn in a more positive direction. Young people today experiencing problems with addiction, depression, teen pregnancy, bullying, gang involvement, and other negative situations have increasing feelings of hopelessness that can lead to running away and even suicide. These children, along with their parents and guardians, need the right guidance to get back on a healthy path.

FACT: According to the National Runaway Switchboard, between