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The Power of Stories
May 20, 2010
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Some people think only intellect counts — knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion, and empathy.
-Dean Koontz

Jim Greenman liked to talk about the power of stories as a communication tool.  This has caused me to look for stories wherever I can.  Recently when I was traveling through the Denver airport I ran across this story about Ray Martinez in an article, "This is your mother" in the Denver Post (May 4, 2010):

"I was raised in the Colorado State Children's Home in Denver....  I remember the orphanage had this practice where they would allow potential parents to check you out like a library book:  they could borrow you for a couple of weeks, take you home, and see if you were fit for their family.  A couple of times I remember riding in the car, leaving the orphanage with potential parents, and them just trying to make me happy and make me laugh, and me sitting in the front in these little booster seats cars had back then in the '50s.  But I never remember being at their homes.  What I do remember is getting returned to the orphanage, riding in the backseat of the car with no one talking to me.  So I sensed right then and there that for some reason or another they didn't like me.  I couldn't put it into words;  I just felt it.  I can distinctly remember riding up to the orphanage, which had an oval road in the front, and always feeling like I was back home.  When I got out of the car, I can remember a couple of times running into the orphanage saying to myself, 'I never want to leave this place again!'  And I think that was a lesson that carried me in law enforcement and as mayor — that I believe you should accept everybody for who they are and reject nobody."


Jim Greenman's book, Places for Childhoods: Making Quality Happen in the Real World demonstrates how centers can face real-world challenges and make quality care a reality. Special selections authored by recognized child care experts enhance this collection of updated articles written by Jim Greenman for Exchange magazine.  Readers will be empowered by new ideas on how to make child care programs work for children, families, and staff.
Displaying 1 Comment
Alice Applebaum
Denver, CO, United States
05/20/2010 06:46 am

Ray Martinez' more complete story is included in a recent publication of Story Corps, "Mom" edited by David Isay. Story Corps' mission is to preserve stories. If you have not heard them on NPR (Friday mornings) you are missing out. Check out their website for stories and more info. www.storycorps.org (I think.)

Ray Martinez was at the book signing of "Mom" that I attended here in Denver. I will never forget the first time I felt that image of checking children out of an orphanage being like checking out books from a library. Thank goodness there came a time in his life where he was not returned. He fortunately landed in a loving home. His, like all of ours, story is still evolving in interesting ways.


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