"Family Matters"
Introduction
My name is
Ray M. Wong, and I’m a writer. It’s taken me forty-seven years to get to a
point where I can say that. There’s still a loud, insidious voice in the back
of my mind that disputes this notion; it tells me I’m not good enough, that
it’s only a silly little dream. But after listening to its disheartening
message for most of my life, I’ve finally learned to talk back to this voice, and
it feels good to tell it to shut its trap!Next to my family, there’s nothing that makes me happier or challenges me more than writing. It’s what I was put on this earth to do.
Also, I write for a number of newspapers and magazines, and I focus on the positive things people are doing. I want to spotlight those who are making a difference in the community. If you are aware of someone worthy of recognition, please e-mail me at ray@raywong.info. Thanks!
Below is my latest family column – enjoy and thanks for being part of the family.
Staying Above Water
By
Ray M. Wong
Life lessons can come from the most unexpected places.
He told me his name was “Mo” or short for Mohamed, and he took my family to the
airport from our hotel at Orlando, Florida on a Friday morning at 4:45AM. Mo
has driven cars the past year for a company called Ramada Transportation
because the bank he had served for 15 years laid him off with no severance or
unemployment benefits. He was a regional VP.
“There’s no loyalty anymore. Companies don’t care about
regular guys like you or me,” he said with more than a trace of hurt in his
voice.
Mo moved to Florida from New York ten years ago. He
liked New York and felt that people could get ahead if they worked hard, but he
had one overriding reason to relocate. “New York is okay, but everything is so
fast-paced. Florida is a better place for a family,” he said.
Click Here To Read More >>>>
Peggy in Texas wrote on Oct. 13, 2007 1:29pm:
"You have a wonderful way of making me feel so much better. Your
thoughts are right on target. We all need to think about what this
means in the real world of just regular, wonderful people. Thank you
for saying it."
Brian Eveland wrote on Oct. 13, 2007 2:52pm:
"Ray Wong hit the nail on the head. 'I can imagine how devastated I would feel if it were my son in that hospital fighting for his life. I can also tell you how much it would mean to me to see all the people from my community sharing in my pain.' -- The support from the community, family, and friends, has been phenominal. The parents I have spoken to that have "been here" have been the most help to me. I have said the prayer that every other parent in this situation has spoken through tears. 'Please God, take me and allow my son to heal.'" -- Brian Eveland, Scott's dad.
Jim from Asheville, NC wrote on Oct 17th, 2007 7:56pm
"Ray Wong has an ability that appears to be on the wane in America -- he empathizes -- walks in another's shoes and then feels their anguish and pain. The Evelands' pain must be enormous, yet it is likely tempered thanks to the outpouring of empathy and prayers from many others who share their anguish. And the most powerful support comes from those that have been 'there.' Like AA or Al-Anon, we are best supported by those who know our pain. Thanks to those who have walked in the Evelands' shoes and have reached out even though it must rekindle their own painful memories."
"Ray is a wonderful Brother-in-Law, I look up to him as a role model" Phong Huynh (brother in law)
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