John Walker and Christine Horton Education Scholarship

It is not uncommon to see mothers in grocery stores and shopping malls in noticeable distress because their child is compelled by unrestrained curiosity which leads to broken goods or kids uncontrollably whaling in protest at not having their way. The often tearful countenance of these mothers screams for relief while their lips remain still. It is likely that these parental behaviors stand out more to me than the blood-curdling juvenile shrills because I empathize with parents caught in this quandary. They appear to have exhausted every trick, strategy, and promise. I want to be like a first responder who swoops in to aid parents in crisis because I have a gift for children. Yes, from an early age it was known that I had this gift. In fact, I was dubbed, “The Baby Whisperer.” It is definitely an unusual mantle for someone so young. Clearly, this mantle suggests that I could somehow produce an uncommon connection, communication, and outcome with children. Such a connection is helpful in warding off tensions and troubles that create dreaded anxieties and fears in moms and dads. For example, I recall one child that was non-verbal and battled a developmental eating disorder. His challenges were driving his parents into a depression. Their inability to reach him or affect positive change in crucial areas of development caused them great shame. When I was given the opportunity to work with him, quickly, I found that I could communicate with him to both know and understand what he was saying or needing. He evidenced marked improvement in areas he was otherwise stunted or lagged. To see the amazement and appreciation for these changes on his mother’s face was compensation enough. The word spread rapidly and widely, and a profitable business emerged out of a desire to just use a gift that God gave me. The Bible says, “Your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great men '' and I can agree by saying that my gift was doing that and more. While many people let their gifts go untapped, those who are wise and discerning don’t fail to employ them for good. It can even translate into revenue. It is as though I had the best of both worlds; I enjoyed operating in an area of passion and got paid for it. More importantly, I had a deep desire, and even a need, to connect with these babies - again, it is my passion. I love the innocence, optimism, and imagination of children. Ultimately, this explains the profound tug in my heart to pursue training and a career in Pediatric Psychology. I now understand a quote that my dad shared from famed Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz, “You have to do something you love. Work isn’t work when you love what you do.” Because I have identified a key talent gifted to me that is intended for the blessing of others, I should not have to work a day in my life past working toward my education.