OPTIMISTISSUVOL. 01 NO. 19WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DAWNPARKER

THE INCURABLE OPTIMIST’S GLASS-HALF-FULL

PARKERS PERKSDAWN PARKER SHARES HOW MEDIA SHAPED HER LIFE

SPECIAL E

DITIO

N

10 THINGSthat will lead

you to a wonderful

life

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2.

BRINGING ME HOME

MEDIA’S ROOT REMINDERS

E v e r y   S u n d ay   a f t e r   c h u r c h ,   D a d   a n d   I   w o u l d   c u d d l e   i n h i s   b l u e ,   w e a t h e r e d   r e c l i n e r   a n d   r e a d   t h e   c o m i c   s e c t i o n o f   t h e   S u n d ay   p a p e r.   D a d   w a s   a l w ay s   d r a w n   t o   B l o n d i e , f i n d i n g   D a g w o o d   (t h e   m a i n   c h a r a c t e r)   t o   b e   m o s t   r e l a t-a b l e   t o   h i s   e v e r y   d ay   d u t i e s   a s   a   h u s b a n d   a n d   f a t h e r. 

T h i s   c a r t o o n   i m p a c t e d   my   l i f e   b y   i m p r i n t i n g   a   m e m o r y i n t o  my  m i n d  o f  my  d a d  t h a t   I  w i l l  a l w ay s  r e m e m b e r,  e v e n w h e n  h e  i s  g o n e .  T h i s  s t r i p  o f  co l o r f u l   i m a g e s  a n d  c a t c hy d i a l o g u e   a l s o   r e m i n d s   m e   o f   w h a t   a   g o o d   f a m i l y   I   h av e , a n d   h o w   my   p a r e n t s   t o o k   t i m e   d u r i n g   my   c h i l d h o o d   t o n o t   o n l y   p a r e n t   m e ,   b u t   l o v e   m e . 

1. BLONDIE by Dean Young and John Marshall

Thislovepoemconnectsmewithapersonverydeartomypast.MerleBrakewasmyneighbor,mentor,andbestfriend.ShepassedawayJanuaryof2011attheageof99. Merlehadtheabilitytounderstandandlistenlikenootherperson.Hercheerfuldispositionfilledanyroomsheenteredwhilealivedlifeallowedhertoprovidesageadvice.Shewarmedmysoulwitheveryencouterandmadebetterpersonofme.Shewasmybestfriendfor18years.Merlereachedintomylife,andtouchedmyheartmorethananyonewilleverknow.Nobody,noteventherain,hadsuchsmallhands.

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2.

The KJV Bible is a book widely known, and for me, sincerely accepted. 

I was raised in the pews of a Baptist church, listening to my dad preach the gospel and my mom singing traditional hyms.

The Bible was clutched by their hearts, the words printed in their souls.

When I was seven years old, I accepted their belief as my own. I accepted Jesus as my savior, and the bible as my guide to living the Christian way. 

The bible reminds me of who I am, where I came from, and who I should strive to be. I know I am blessed, and I am protected from the evils of the world.

I fall short of the word daily. I sin and  I fail. But the beauty of the scripture bound by leather gives me strength to wake up and try again, because I am loved unconditionally.

3. THE KING JAMES BIBLE“Now faith is the substance of things

hoped for, the evidence of things not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

Somewhere I have never

traveled, gladly beyond

byE. E.

Cummings

somewhereihavenevertravelled,gladlybeyondanyexperience,youreyeshavetheirsilence:inyourmostfrailgesturearethingswhichencloseme,orwhichicannottouchbecausetheyaretoonear.yourslightestlookwilleasilyunclosemethoughihaveclosedmyselfasfingers,youopenalwayspetalbypetalmyselfasSpringopens(touchingskilfully,mysteriously)herfirstroseorifyourwishbetocloseme,iandmylifewillshutverybeautifully,suddenly,aswhentheheartofthisflowerimaginesthesnowcarefullyeverwheredescending;thepowerofyourintensefragility:whosetexturecompelsmewiththecolorofitscountries,renderingdeathandforeverwitheachbreathing(idonotknowwhatitisaboutyouthatclosesandopens;onlysomethinginmeunderstandsthevoiceofyoureyesisdeeperthanallroses)nobody,noteventherain,hassuchsmallhands

Leaving home was a moment in my life I always dreamed about. But now that I am gone, and moving forward with the rest of my journey, I have found the dream to be more of a harsh reality. Without the constant guidance of those who raised me, I make my own life decisions and face the outcomes of my choices. When I hear this song, I think of my home and the comfort of those old walls. From the oak tree to the little back bedroom, I relate to every word. I think Miranda had me in mind when she wrote it. Everytime I go home, I feel rejuvenated. I use my time there to find my roots and regain sanity from my busy life style under the roof that protected me.

Oh, Gatsby. A lesson from literature everyone shouldlearn. “The Great Gatsby” put a bow around my finger, urging me to live life for more than the goalof monetary success. 

Gatsby has all the riches and all the prestige, but no sincere friendships. This book reminded meto step away from the fast lane sometimes, because money can’t buy love, nor can time be relived.

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6. THE GREAT GATSBY

I know they say you cant go home again.I just had to come back one last time.Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.But these handprints on the front steps are mine.And up those stairs, in that little back bedroomis where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.And I bet you didn't know under that live oakmy favorite dog is buried in the yard.I thought if I could touch this place or feel itthis brokenness inside me might start healing.Out here its like I'm someone else,I thought that maybe I could find myselfif I could just come in I swear I'll leave.Won't take nothing but a memoryfrom the house that built me.Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.Plans were drawn, concrete poured,and nail by nail and board by boardDaddy gave life to mama's dream.I thought if I could touch this place or feel itthis brokenness inside me might start healing.Out here its like I'm someone else,I thought that maybe I could find myself.If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.Won't take nothing but a memoryfrom the house that built me.You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.I thought if I could touch this place or feel itthis brokenness inside me might start healing.Out here its like I'm someone else,I thought that maybe I could find myself.If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.Won't take nothing but a memoryfrom the house that built me.

5. The House That Built Meby. Miranda Lambert

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LIFE LESSONS

MEDIA MAKES ME BETTER

7. PocahontasI carried this VHS around

as a child as if the movie was my best friend.Pocahontas captivated

me and inspired me. She embodies many traits I wish to have as a woman myself. She is strong and indpendent. She stands firm in her beliefs, fights for what she wants, and most importantly, she fol-lows her heart.Pocahontas taught me to

listen to my heart, and the rest will follow.

“Follow          your                  heart” 

-Grandmother Willow

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DEFINING ME

MEDIA CONNECTS

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7. Invisible Children

Invisible Children is a non-profit organization which uses media to change the world. By making documentaries and sharing them around the world about war affected children in Uganda, the organization not only creates awareness but gains funding to develop aid, such as rebuilding schools, in Uganda, where war has overcome peace.

For a long time, I have aspired to travel to Africa. Invisible Children played a large part in forming this dream. I do not want to only visit Africa, but I want to help Africa. Invisible Children proved to me that I can do what I am passionate about for the things that I am passionate for.

“BE THE CHANGE 

YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD”-GANDHI

8. Pinterest is not only addicting, but it is captivating. Everything I love, I can find on here. I love planning events and I love dreaming of the future. I love clothes and I love crafts. I find this website to be a book of images which can best describe who I am and who I want to be.

9. The program that started it all. In 10th grade, I took a Web Design class with a heavy focus in Photoshop. From the day I clicked on that icon, I was hooked forevermore. I took as many digital media classes as possible in high school, and now my major revolves around such elements.I applaud Adobe for creating my future.

10. National Lampoon Christmas Vacation

The Parkers at a glanceAs soon as the Christmas tree goes up, Christmas Vacation comes out. Every Christmas, my family begins watching this movie on December 1, and seems to religiously replay until the holiday ends.

This movie defines my family and our Christmas traditions. Even Uncle Eddy comes around during the month of December. Crazy times and crazy love are the two things I can be certain to receive from my family, and see in this movie.

My family are the ultimate definition of who I am. I love them unconditionally and I am forever grateful God has placed them in my life.

Sparky and his gang combine with Christmas to epitomize the Parker household (give or take a few scenes).

When I am in my final season, weathered and frail, I know I can replay this movie and instantly be taken back to all of those laughs, and dysfunctional moments, I shared with my unperfect, yet perfect for me, family.  

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