sharonksobotta

An Old Friend

Several years ago, I became acquainted with a unique student from Saint Mary's College. The student, Cliff, was 83 years old when he returned to SMC in 2003, 85 when he graduated in 2005 and today is 90. (Although Cliff was a doctor, he had never completed his undergraduate education, because he got accepted to Harvard Medical School prior to his undergraduate graduation.) I ran into him on campus after he graduated just after my first book was published and invited him to attend my book signing at the Walnut Creek Barnes & Noble. My parents raised me to be inclusive, so even though I didn't expect him to make it, I would have regretted not inviting me. He wrote down the details about my event on a small piece of paper and put it into his wallet. When I file something into my wallet or purse, I usually don't find it again. But, sure enough, a week later, Cliff walked into Barnes & Noble and pulled the little yellow piece of paper out of his wallet. "See, I made it," he said with a smile. Cliff and I chatted for a few minutes and I felt like I made a new friend. Weeks later, I received a hand-written letter from Cliff in the mail. A few weeks after that, he sent me a copy of 52 essays he had written for his grandchildren which he aspired to craft into a book called "Grandparents Matter." I sent him an e-mail congratulating him on his aspirations and sent him an e-interview, so I could capture a piece of his story. He printed out my questions and sent me back a combination of hand-written notes and a type written essay. It was a story about a young girl he treated when he was a doctor in Hawaii. She had inoperable cancer, but had a dream of going out for macadamia nut pancakes before she died. In short, Dr. Cliff went outside of his doctorly duties and made the girl's dream come true. As I read the story, a sea of tears flowed out of eyes and I could feel a ball in the back of my throat. It was the most touching story I ever read. Months later, Dr. Cliff and his wife invited me out for brunch. I met the two of them in their retirement community home. Cliff's wife had just had surgery on her cheek to remove a small patch of skin cancer. On the way to the car, I mistakenly offered his wife a hand. "No thank you. I'm fine," she said to me. "Honey, come here and give me a hand please," she said to her husband in almost the same breath. Cliff staggered over to his wife's side to steady her and I got into the car quietly. As we drank bottomless glasses of Mimosas that Dr. Cliff ordered for us, I couldn't help admiring the team work between the two of them. "Honey, would you give me a hand with my steak, please?" she asked. Then Cliff got up and helped her out. On the way back to the table from the buffet bar, Cliff held his wife's hand to and I followed. As we inched by the people who were waiting to get past us, she looked up and smiled. "Are we too fast for you?" she wittily asked with a smile and a wink. After our brunch, we went back to their home and chatted for some time. I, of course, interviewed them and they shared their story about how they met, how they dated, what they grew to love most about each other and more. Afterwards, Dr. Cliff went into his garden with a clipper and cut me a fresh bouquet of flowers to take home with me. It wasn't until today, almost a year later, that I went back to visit Dr. Cliff and his wife. Aside from knowing that the two of them are all-around amazing people that I would like to stay in touch with, I know that Dr. Cliff's life dream is to publish his book. He reached out to me with his dream and it has been killing me to know that I have not done more to help make that happen. Today when I got to the Dr. Cliff's home, his wife was relaxing on her chair and watching a documentary about Africa, while their helper sat at the table putting a puzzle together. I suggested that today was the day for us to get started on making the book happen. Dr. Cliff showed me to the computer room and brought us each a glass of wine. I opened up each of his 52 essays, copied, pasted and put them all into one huge word document. As I copied and pasted, we chatted and shared stories. Dr. Cliff wanted to make sure that I was dating, that I was up on my reading, and more. By the time I left, Dr. Cliff and I had agreed to a standing weekly work date to make his book come to fruition and he suggested a double date between for his wife, himself, me and his boyfriend--well sort of...He'll also bring his granddaughter who speaks Spanish...but it'll be fun none-the-the less. After I successfully sent myself one document with all of the essays contained inside of it, Dr. Cliff showed me a slide show and asked me to share it with other people. Frankly, when someone that I respect who is 90 years old asks me to do something, I feel like I should do it. Before I arrived at Dr. Cliff's house this evening, I was having sort of a "poor me" day, feeling a little bit down and a little bit overwhelmed by life. By the time I left, I felt rejuvenated and humbly reminded about what is truly important in life.

Wisconsin Teachers Take a Stand

Sometimes, before passing judgment or deciding what's best for others, the best we can do is listen to the voices of those who are directly impacted. These are the voices of teachers and students in Wisconsin.

'The House of Sick & Dying'

Traveling. We do it to explore, to discover new depths of ourselves, and sometimes to escape something. This story is set in India at the Mother Theresa Headquarters. It's a scratch draft at will be read at the event called 'International Intrigue' (at 6:30pm at Cafe Royle) in San Francisco on 2/17/11. It reminds us that the personal really is political.

In Solidarity with the People of Egypt

The 2011 Journey to 'VDAY: Until the Violence Ends'

Looking for something fun to do to kick off your Valentine's Day weekend? Consider attending the 9th Annual Production of 'The Vagina Monologues' at St. Mary's College of California in the Soda Center at 8pm on Friday, February 11, 2011. This podcast will be embedded into a video showcasing the student experience that will premier the night of the performance. For more information or to rsvp a ticket, call 925-631-4171. 5 FAQS About VDAY 1. What is the mission of ‘The Vagina Monologues’? The mission of V-Day is to raise awareness about violence against women and to demand a world without such violence. Each of the play’s monologues represents the stories and experiences of more than 200 women from around the world. It addresses topics that include faithfulness in marriage, domestic violence, rape as a war tactic, gender identity, childbirth, sexual abuse and assault, intimacy and menstruation. Its intent is to break the silence surrounding these issues, and the shame and guilt that may prevent battered women, sexually abused children and sexual assault victims from accessing services. 2. Where does the money raised from the SMC production of V-Day go? Each year, we contribute 100% of the profits to grassroots organizations involved in the cause of ending violence against women. All proceeds from the 2011 SMC production of ‘The Vagina Monologues’ will be given to Community Violence Solutions, a non-profit organization that works to support victims of sexual assault and does prevention education. 3. Why are SMC college funds allocated toward such a controversial play? SMC funds are not contributed toward the play. The play is part of the V-Day college campaign. The play is performed by a group of student volunteers. All costs needed for executing the play come through ticket sales. 4. What leadership opportunities does the Women’s Resource Center provide to students who may not be inclined to participate in or attend ‘The Vagina Monologues?’ Join us for The Crossroads of Social Change, the second annual Wo/men's Conference at Saint Mary's College of California on March 4-5, 2011. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the intersection of race, class and gender as it pertains to social justice, social change and leadership. On Friday, the conference will kick off with an invigorating luncheon, ‘Women of Color Leading Change,’ followed by I-chat (safe space debriefing groups), the debut of ‘Be the Change’ video projects and a networking open house in the Women’s Resource Center’s brand new home. On Saturday, the conference will offer three tracks of sessions including: identity politics, leadership and social change, along with a special lunchtime and closing performance. To register, please click the following link: http://www.vdev.stmarys-ca.edu/student-life/womens-resource-center/wo-mens-conference/index.html 5. How is the ‘The Vagina Monologues’ relevant at a Catholic campus such as Saint Mary’s College of California? Although Saint Mary’s College of California is a safe campus, it is not immune to societal issues such as sexual assault and dating violence. Sexual assault impacts as many as one in four women and one in ten men, while as many as one in three women are victims of dating/domestic violence. Saint Mary’s College of California does not condone the controversial acts that are referenced in the monologues. Yet, we acknowledge that the play is based on women’s experiences as victims of abuse, infidelity, hardships and struggles and support the play’s mission of breaking the silence around these issues and about contributing toward the societal mission of ending violence against women.

Books

Sharon is working on a number of non-fiction and self help book projects. Sharon was inspired to write her first book, ‘The Journey of Life: 100 Lessons from Around the World’ (which she now affectionately refers to as her start-up project), by a break up. The book is a collection of universally applicable lessons she collected while traveling the world and interviewing people from all walks of life. It was while applying a lesson a day from her first book to her own life that Sharon discovered the magical world of radio.

http://www.interculturalencounters.org/Store.html

Check out my latest book: 40 Things to Give Up for Lent to Make the World a Better Place

What are you giving up this Lenten season? What if instead of giving up chocolate or coffee, you give up apathy or indifference? If you’re open to considering some habits to kick so that you can contribute to a more just and fair world, keep reading! It doesn’t matter if you’re Catholic, Lutheran, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Baha’i, Agnostic, or Atheist…If you’re interested in being the change you wish to see in the world, this book is for you.

Now Available on Lulu.com

Contact Sharon

Sharon K. Sobotta is available to speak, consult, teach or guest blog.

Send your inquires to sharonksobotta@gmail.com

Sharon's Youtube Channel: iesharonk

Mary Peace Head (Rosie the Rivitor)

The innocence of children

This podcast was made with the help of Mrs. Splinter's 4th grade class!

Tribute to Catalina Torres

Catalina Torres was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a beautician, a math tutor, and an all around soulful woman. After working her way out of an abusive relationship, Catalina dedicated her life to the cause of ending violence against women. She volunteered at STAND! and made an annual visit back to SMC to chat with members of 'Hermanas Unidas' and other students about how to recognize unhealthy relationships and how to access help. On September 6, 2008, Catalina's life came to an end when she was shot by the ex-husband of her cousin. Yet, Catalina's legacy lives on. Each fall, students, friends and family members gather for a Catalina Torres Night to Remember. This is an interview with Catalina Torres's mother and sister. Together, they tell the story of how she lived, what she stood for and why her life should be celebrated.