Mr. O

We're done with our second full day of our NOLA service trip and I've already met several wonderful, happy, spirt filled people. One of whom was Mr. O, a Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana Art Teacher. He had just moved here to New Orleans - he just updated his license this past weekend - and was so excited to see other people from Georgia that he couldn't stop talking.

Brad, Jake and I spent nearly two hours in conversation with a man who we later found out gave up a very well paying job with the GBI because he wanted to go where his passion lead him, his passion to be an art teacher. That passion lead him to the boys and girls club we were at today. He kept talking about how he teaches things that schools don't; how that when a child does something it has a reason so every single piece of art they bring him is perfect in its own way. So no matter what the kid drew he used his words to empower each and every child to foster their own imagination, as opposed to telling them it was wrong and having them start again.

I will always remember Mr. O for his pursuit of passion, his massive heart and ecstatic smile.   Most of all, I will remember one very specific statement he made. "Leave here knowing one thing, that's, the tiniest thing, I make it big." This statement reminds me that no matter who you're working with, adults, children, friends, family or even just yourself, always find the crack of light and rip it open until you see where your heart is, where you future is, where your passions lie.

Hannon, Max T.