My great grandfather owned a farm and a general store that sold what the farm produced. His farm and store provided for his entire family-his wife, ten children, parents, siblings, cousins, and neighboring community.

My great grandfather and I share the same birthday.

Four days before I was born, (four days before his birthday) my great grandfather passed away.

So my birth in itself, four days after he passed, was a good omen.

It was a sign of hope, a reason for my family to be happy and to celebrate in an otherwise somber time.

Now, over 100 years after his birth, I want to continue what he began, and give the world that same gift.

With so much to the contrary, my goal is to infuse more hope, more positive reinforcements, and more reasons to believe and look to the future.

My offering to the world is a