From the Ditch to the Road: Youth Issues Matter

By Gail R. Wright

The topics in this book address subjects that youth may deal with on a regular basis. It is presented in poetry form to ease some of the sensitivity, hurt, pain, frustration, and irritation of the subject matter. However, the issues are to be taken very seriously. Our youth matter and we want the circumstances to be addressed and dealt with, and broken hearts healed so they can move on with their lifes purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490857299

Gail R. Wright

Gail R. Wright is a certfied temperament counselor, an award-winning poet, youth advocate and christian school teacher. She holds a Master of Christian Education and formerly employed as recreation services program specialist. Gail is the author of four other books. She has a rapidly growing collection of poems and is still writing. Gail thanks God for her opportunity to touch the lives of the youth and help train the next generation.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 Gail R. Wright.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-5730-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5731-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5729-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014918959

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/05/2014

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

What’s Your Opinion?

Introduction

Chapter 1 Let’s Chat—Healthy Relationships

Chapter 2 et’s Get Out of the Hole

Chapter 3 Moving on, Moving Forward

Chapter 4 Remaining Sane after Going through Growing Pains

Chapter 5 Laughter Does Good Like a Medicine

Moment of Reflection

References

To my family—

To my parents, Thomas and Evangeline Roberson, I thank you for all of your support.

To my sisters and other family members and friends who have supported all of my books.

To my cheering squad, my nieces, my nephews, my great nephews, and my great nieces who have been faithful supporters by reading the previous authored books and telling others about them.

To other supporters who have purchased my books, I thank you.

PREFACE

In the county where I lived, there were ditches that separated the neighbor’s property from another person’s. There was always a chance that you could lose your ball in a ditch when you were playing ball in your yard or in the street. We made it a game to jump over the ditch while we were playing. And when we were racing, we could even ride our bikes in the ditch to pass one another and hopefully win the race. Or you could be like me and almost drive your car in the ditch. But one thing was for sure about the ditch—you could get stuck. If the ditch was too deep, you might need a lot of help, but you could eventually get out, sometimes with bruises and other times barely with a scratch.

This is the same with situations that happen during the course of one’s life. Even as a youth, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable place in life and don’t quite know how to handle a situation, perhaps with a peer or family member. You want out, or maybe you just want to handle your relationships with others better. This would be considered getting out of the ditch because you are looking for a solution to a problem in hopes of a better outcome.

No, it doesn’t matter how old you are. From a youth to an adult, we all go through life situations. Do you agree that it felt good when you knew how to handle a situation and kept out of the ditch, maybe at school or a job? Some people say the key to staying out of the ditch is learning from your own experiences and mistakes or learning from others, and others say prayers. What do you say?

You are an original and an exceptional youth. There is a purpose for your life. No, it is not a mistake that you are here. Shake off your situation and move on, embracing your gifts, talents, and dreams. Go ahead and step through the open door toward a brighter and awesome future that’s waiting for you—not just any open door but the one that is a part of your purpose. There are other doors, but they could be trap doors. You want to stay away from those.

In this book some youth and young at heart will express their opinions and experiences about situations that happened to them. Now are you ready? Because it may cause you to take a look at your own situations so that you can make decisions that will be better for your life. I hope this book will help you with questions you may have and help you make decisions so that you can get back on the right path.

If you lost your hope, you can dream again.

Let’s climb out of the ditch and get back on the road together.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A special thanks to my husband, Richard, who has been a great supporter of this project. Like myself, he, too, has a passion for young people. This is why he continuously encourages me in each project.

Latisha, my daughter, has faithfully contributed by supporting me in each book I have written, both in editing and encouragement.

I am truly grateful for their love and support.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Read the statements below

Think about what you believe concerning these statements before reading the book.

See if you feel the same way after reading the book. Did it encourage you to change any unhealthy habits or pursue your dream and purpose?