So anyone who knows me is well aware of my continued interest in being sure young people have opportunities to practice, and learn when needed, their communication skills. I was walking a NC neighborhood the other day to get in my cardio time and to practice my photography.

I arrived at a grassy corner where two young people held a sign advertising bicycle stunts for $2.00. Despite their incorrect notation, I knew their goal and asked if the donation was for them alone. They mentioned it was for the soldiers. We discussed the fact they should write that info on their flyer to encourage others to realize their efforts were for a good cause, and so they did. I further asked if they thought the amount of the donation high, but we agreed if I could practice my photography skills we had a deal.
Off they went to get the appropriate bicycles. Arrival: one bicycle with training wheels so one boy could stand on them to do a wheelie….okay, that was unique! Another bicycle for stunt riding through a bumpy patch with no injuries to person or bicycle, and finally the two boys, each on a bicycle, doing an “X”….debatable, but done!
When I asked to be reminded of our negotiations, the deal was $2 to split with soldiers and then split between the boys. Wait a second, the plan changed? Oh maybe so!
I asked, take a minute, think again, be honest, truly tell me what will happen with my donation. Answer: $2, with $1 to soldiers and $.50 to each boy. Handshake and agreement as one of the mothers took the money to go with the neighborhood summer BBQ “benefit to soldiers”.
Mission accomplished! Always fun interacting with young people and having them practice their communication skills in the real world. (No photos here per my agreement to not photo young people for my blog, unless absolutely necessary, or individuals in a crowd. It is a personal belief I maintain, and besides, it is the story that is most important!)