The Adventures of Jack Chapter 4

(4)                                               Life with a purpose

Jack’s, mind kept wandering back to Jack & Jim just adrift on the river, to The Three Musketeers in the forest of France and the Golden Book. He was just ten, and his life was one big adventure.
Was it the trips to the library with his father, Jake?

Was it those compelling books, that filled Jack’s life with adventure?

Possibly one of the most powerful was the story of Liz. Jack never before cried when reading, but Liz’s story brought to life everything Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book was teaching.  This amazing story of living at the bottom, and building a life from nothing, will leave you cheering and be crying with happiness!

When Jack read the story of Liz Murray’s life, he was reminded of the words of Dale Carnegie: “Instead of worrying about what people say about you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.”

At the cemetery that morning Liz lay-ed on her mother's coffin { Liz's mother had just died of aids}, she looked up at God seeking a way to change her life.
Liz's father and mother were both addicted to drugs and alcohol, which made living with then impossible.

Liz left to search a better life.
She found herself at 16 years old living on the streets of New York City, with no showers, and wearing rags for clothes,? She had never imagined herself homeless and eating out of garbage cans?
Jack thought, at ten, am I  old enough to realize how lucky I am? 

Liz avoided school because she was embarrassed about how she smelled!
 That morning Liz asked God, for an answer, ( God spoke ).  Liz had a friend, a school teacher, this was Liz's chance, as the teacher helped her get back into school.

The teachers were amazed that this girl who had barely gone to school was so bright.  With the first graded paper in hand, an  A-, Liz took it to the teacher and said how do I get an A?
Liz had a secret she was an avid reader.

Liz took an overload of classes; her goal complete four years of high school in two.
Jack, though he and Liz both loved books.

 History tells us that Benjamin Franklin created the library and the Post Office. He wondered could he be like Liz Murray and or Ben Franklin?  Would books change his life?  In so many ways they already had.

Liz's story just get's better, she completes high school in two years, with the highest grades in her school, wow, the girl with no home, who ate out of garbage cans, has a chance to go to college?
Now the next big test, how to find money for college. That day at the councilors office, they searched and searched; but do remember Liz, had no family, and no one to help her with expenses.

Just as she was about to give-up, a fax came through about this essay contest at the New York Times. The winners would receive $12,000 a year scholarship money.

Liz decided she could write an essay.  For the next three months, she wrote and rewrote, and finally just days before the due date she mailed off her entry.

 A few weeks later the counselor received a call inviting Liz to the New York Times.
Liz arrived that Saturday morning, dressed in her best rags. She took her seat with the hundreds in attendance.

Liz was overwhelmed, she had never in her life been in a place so amazing!
The master of ceremonies began calling out names:
Third place
Second place
First Place, Liz Murray

Liz rose to the thunderous applause, and took what she felt was the longest walk of her life?  Possibly the most important, to the lectern.

She shook hands with the master of ceremonies.  After Liz had received her awards, she was about to step down when a reporter in the back of the room stood; he asked Liz, Liz may I ask you a question, yes, of course, Liz replied.
 
The question?  Liz, if you had to do this all over again would you change anything? Liz, looked out at the audience, with tears running down her face, she said, " I would give all this up just to be together with my family again."  There was not a dry eye in the audience that day!

But now as 'Paul Harvey' famous radio announcer would say' " And now for the rest of the story."
What no-one knew about Liz's story, the girl who was homeless and wore rags, she had studied and slept on the New York subway for two years, while in school, and now Liz was going to Harvard University!

Why did Liz win the essay contest?  It's an easy answer; it was the story of her life?
Based on a true story.
Jack fell fast asleep.