Let me start by saying that yes, I knew Kenny McKinley. He was in my beginning class and once you're a part of Eagle TV, you're always a part of Eagle TV. I even remember where in my classroom he sat. Just like everyone else, the most prominent thing I remember about him was his manners, incessant smile and seemingly constant happiness. I marveled one day to him about how I couldn't get over how he was so happy all the time and he said to me, "there just isn't anything to be unhappy about, ma'am." I used to joke with him about how he must be up to something to just sit in class and smile all the time. When I was teaching, if I caught his eye, he would just smile wider, right at you. He knew all along about a life skill that making others feel good around you makes you more interesting a fun to be around. Kenny had a lot of friends, not because he was a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, but because he made people feel good when they were around him.
I have a poster in my classroom that says that you should smile at everyone you come in contact with because you don't know what kind of day they are having. It is based on the premise that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others, just by how you look at them.
The one life skill that Kenny didn't remember in his darkest hour, however, was the notion that we all have choices. Many of them. And, even when you are at your darkest hour, or having such a bad day that you can't imagine climbing out, or when you feel stuck, you always have choices. You might just have to ask for help or list them in order to see them.
Kenny's choice has affected others. His mom and dad and sister, his 1-year-old boy, his Bronco's family, his South Carolina family, his South Cobb family, his fans and this teacher.
Nothing in this life of yours is too hard to recover from. I promise. Even severe depression. You just have to ask for help. Please just remember this trick: write down your choices....write down eleven of them...whenever you feel stuck or have to make a decision. Ask for help if you need to, but the important thing to remember is to reach out; to a person, or the universe or whatever.
Everything you do, apart from a reflex. is a choice. Everything. When you get up in the morning--choice; opening your eyes when you wake up--reflex. Pulling your hand away from a hot stove -- reflex; turning on the stove to make breakfast, choice. Completing your homework -- choice (a good one); cringing when you stub your toe -- reflex. Saying something nice to someone, or choosing not to say anything if it might come out mean might be a choice that would influence someone else's day.
Here is an example of how I might write down eleven choices I have about what to do on the weekend:
1. Sleep in
2. Wake up early
3. Sleep in then pad out to the living room and turn on the TV; watch TV in pajamas
4. Get up, take a shower and go hang out with friends.
5. Get up, take a shower and chill around the house.
6. Wake up early, walk the dog, feed the cats, go to the arts festival
7. Wake up early, decide I'm too tired and go back to bed. Sleep 'til 2 pm.
8. Wake up at 2 pm and call my dad to say hello. Finally get a shower and get dressed.
9. Sleep in, do homework in pajamas, watch TV in pajamas, take a nap.
10. Stay up all night Friday night, go to bed at 4 am Saturday morning. Sleep until dinnertime.
11. Sleep in a little, hang with friends a little, do a little homework, spend time with family.
I have been wrestling with a personal decision for a long time. This past week, I took the time to go to Florida to see my dad and the beach and list my choices. Putting them on paper or talking them out always seems to help when things don't seem too clear. It has put things in perspective for me and has made my life a little brighter knowing that I DO have choices. It was on this trip to Florida that I heard about Kenny.
If there is anything that you take away from this is the following: as human beings we need and influence each other more than we realize and we ALWAYS have choices. Be kind, help people, tune in to others, and be there for someone who might need help seeing that they have choices. Remember that you, too, have choices and you make them everyday. Make good ones and when you have trouble seeing the forest for the trees, ask for help. I wish Kenny had.
Please respond that you read the blog and that you acknowledge the advice I have given you.
I agree with what you said ,you can over come anything.When life gets hard its always good to have that one best friend you can talk to about anything.I do not know what I would do without my best friend Stephanie Hunter.One person can make a diffence.Just by smiling at someone could changed their whole day.Like the sayin goes if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
ReplyDelete-Amanda Vinson
Mrs. Watson thank you a lot for sharing your words of wisdom. Sometimes it seems like you tell me something every time I need to here exactly that. Happiness is indeed something that everybody flourishes from and just one somebody smiling can be infectious and cause the whole room to be smiling. This blog could possibly be the start of something amazing.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to be learned from this situation and I've grieved so deeply for someone i didn't even know existed. It pains me to see such unhappiness when it comes to this one guy. He must have left a stain on the world so that everyone would miss him. And if anything, he was successful in doing so. I hope that one day I'll be missed as Kenny is. I understand that just the simple act of treating others how you would like to be treated is one thing anyone can do to make not just the world, but Eagle Tv a more affable place.
ReplyDeleteKori Jones <3
IV'E READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE . R.I.P KENNY CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GONE BIG BRUH..
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the point concerning choisces that you made. They are extremely importnant. Even the smallest of choices like a smile can brighten someone's day or a hug can make someone remember that everything will be alright. I also belive we can all make good choices as well as the fact the we all can
ReplyDeleteKrisanne Patrick said...
ReplyDeleteI always heard the phrase "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". We don't know what a person is really going through or struggling with on a given day, so a simple comment whether good or bad can really have an effect on them.
I was sad when I read about Kenny McKinley's death, even though I never knew him. Strangely the day after his death I read an article about his death, not knowing that he attend South Cobb High and also not knowing he was from Georgia.
-Krisanne Patrick
As i read the blog i was thinking to my self that everybody will come to a point wheres they're going to need help in life. Me myself didnt know kenny but i knew somebody whos been in the same similar situation as him i feel like if anybody in that situation where to the point they going to kill they self ima really need them to talk to an adult or anybody so they can get help.
ReplyDelete-kemberlee pierre
first off r.i.p kenny andmy prayers go out too kennly mckinley family and close friends, people make decionsions because of waht they feel or think should be done, some choices are correct and some are wrong, thats why when yo unsure about anything you make sure you ASK because it always the right thing to do when you going through troubled times or you not for sure bout anything, everything relise on what we do, say, and think!!! wrong choices can effect people's life. make the right choice because the choice is yours.
ReplyDelete- jeremey meyer
there is alot to learn from this situation. most importantly to think about your decisions before you make them. your decisions may have an impact on someone else. i just think from reading this blog that people should talk or write about things before reacting the wrong way. think before you react you may never know how it may effect someone else.
ReplyDelete(R.I.P Kenny)
Though not all of us have thought about committing suicide, most of us have at least been in a situation where we wished we could die. But, we made it through. People just have to tell themselves that "Trouble don't last always" and that "This too shall past" and that no matter what, there's always someone out there who has it harder than you. Nothing but time can heal pain, and you just have to stay strong and work through it. You are very lucky to have your life because a lot of people have lost theirs at ages younger than we are. No matter what, there's always something to be thankful for. I wish everyone would realize this, and just ask God for help. Sometimes, he's the only person you can call on, but he's always there. Keep your head up and don't look down. RIP to Kenny and much love to his family; sadly, he decided to take the easy way out.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a very sad situation for friends and family and even fans. Rather you knew him personal or not. But what ever the case my be, the situation should have been handled a different way. but lack of support, love, and attention can cause problems.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P KENNY !! you was like a brother to many of us here at southcobb! situations like these must never be forgotten, especially when a young man like kenny has been such a football inspiration to so many young men not only in cobb but also around the state. you will truly be missed.
ReplyDeleteKenny was such an inspiration to South Cobb. I'm sorry that he had to go he never be forgotten. Things happen but i know the situation could of be handled better.
ReplyDelete