Making a Difference

I’m still digging out of sandy laundry, and crazed because my kids went back to school today. But I wanted to share a little of our personal life for a cause that’s dear to my heart. 


Mr. Sugarplum isn’t a total stranger around these parts…and his appearance is usually good for a few laughs.
 

My Edward

My “Handyman”

There’s no question he’s funny, and an entertainer to the core. I’ve mentioned it before, but Mr. Sugarplum was a professional musician “back in the day.” He toured with major artists for years before getting his own record deal. Finally, his dreams were coming true…he recorded a pop-rock record with all of his own songs, had a radio single on the Billboard Top 50, and was touring college campuses with his spankin’ band. (‘Spankin’ is his word; I’m not cool enough to talk like that.)

He was at the cusp. Musical success was at his fingertips. Then his dreams were cut short with a one-minute phone call…the record label had folded. A week later, we came home to find our porch stacked with 30 boxes of his CDs, posters and promotional materials. To say he was devastated would be an understatement.

But Mr. Sugarplum is a glass half-full kind of guy {heart}, and quickly discovered his favorite part of entertaining was connecting with people and impacting their life in some positive way. He also realized being home with his family was more important than all of it. So he went back to school for a Master's degree in Counseling, and is now a fully-licensed professional psychotherapist!



My Baby Daddy


He specializes in drug and alcohol addiction, and has flourished on his new path. He has such a way with people, and easily gains their trust. He helps them learn coping and life skills, and motivates them to change their thinking and behavior. The best part of the job is witnessing patients turn their lives around, earn their family's trust, and ultimately gain their own dignity back.

Mr. Sugarplum is light-hearted and funny, except when talking about his work. He feels so passionately about helping people, and I see his pride when he tells me about his day. 


"When I'm running a group session, the entertainer in me comes out and I'm actually trying to sell them a new life. When a connection is made, and I see their faces light up with understanding, I can literally see the hope move back in."


So why am I sharing all this about my man? Because Capella University (not my husband's school) and BlogHer, feel so passionately about work that makes a difference, that they're donating $1 for every comment left on this post, to the charity of my choice!

Capella University is a rigorous and supportive learning community that transforms your education into work that makes a difference in the lives of others. At Capella, you will develop the knowledge to help others reach their potential. Your degree will change more lives than just your own. Read examples of the great work their alumni have been doing here, or see what their community has to say on the Capella Facebook Page.


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To help raise money for The Alzheimer's Association, leave me a comment about someone who's made a difference in your life, or influenced you in some positive way. Maybe a counselor, a teacher or a nurse? Or tell us how what you do makes a difference to others! BlogHer will donate $1 for every comment, up to $500!





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Donation Rules:


No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total donation entries by leaving up to two comments in response to the prompt on this post. This promotion is open to US Residents age 18 or older. The Official Rules are available here. This promotion runs from 8/27/2012 - 9/30/2012. Visit the BlogHer.com Capella page to check out more blogger stories and for more donation chances!