ARENAC COUNTY – Okay, so I’ve been struggling for seven days over what I should be writing for this blog. Coming short on all ideas or sparks of inspiration of which I could formulate into a comprehensive string of words and/or paragraphs, I resolved in my head that I may have to tell the Divas, I got writer’s block on my third blog. And as inviting of an idea as that was, at my middle-age status, I really just prayed that God would inspire me, like, any time now. In the meantime, I was busy with everyday tasks; work, trying to get a bit of holiday hoopla in here and there, and, as a part of my routine, the daily perusal of Facebook. It was Dec. 7 when my niece, a December 2011 graduate of Central Michigan University, posted a video on her Facebook Wall, commenting that it had a great message or something of the sorts. It also had some initials in the message, but accepting of the fact that as a “dumb phone” user, I do not know the lingo used during conversations of “smart phone” users, I didn’t really have time to decipher the “code” that she was conveying to her college-aged friends. I was sure it was something an aunt didn’t or wouldn’t want to know or probably see. A day later, while checking messages, something in my head reminded me to go to my niece’s page and watch the video. I did, and I was amazed and still am with its message, clearly worth sharing. There sitting hunched over a desktop in front of a computer webcam at Michigan State University, sat a somber, buzz-cut college freshman, flipping marker-laden notecards, to the tune of “Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky. Okay, don’t feel bad. I didn’t know that song or band prior to this video either, but back to the point. The kid in the video on each unedited, penned and crudely-written card revealed to the world his most inner, raw and organic thoughts, feelings and faith, with one underlying message – ELE: Everybody Love Everybody. The video, which addresses death, depression and suicide, aimed to reach and comfort the members of his small hometown of Rockford, Michigan, where his best friend, Stephen May, and several other teens had passed away in tragic accidents or suicide. For him, it was only a small message of hope. Fourteen days after posting “My Story,” on You Tube, though, Jacob Schemmel is finding out his simple message is reaching far beyond the confines of his poster-pasted dorm room in Lansing, Michigan or the basketball courts of Rockford High School, where he tossed the ball until his graduation in 2010. With a Facebook account jammed with friend requests; hundreds of comments of life-saving gratitude; and nearly 1 million video views from around the world, Schemmel’s wisdom extends beyond his young years. Depression, death and suicide aren’t the most comforting or appropriate topics to discuss over crumpets and tea, or on You Tube, but somehow Jacob does it in such a way that it’s saving young lives and inspiring all walks of life. It’s a great message for the New Year and worth sharing: http://youtu.be/0dgadTcVu60 Happy New Year, and E.L.E. ~Roberta  |
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