Cultivating Courage FEATURE BY TIFFANY HENDRA
I was born and raised in a lower middle-class town on the
Back then people smoked, chewed tobacco, drank beer, but
East side of Houston, TX; my younger sister and I were
went to church every single Sunday.
born to two hard working ‘salt-of-the-earth’ parents. When I think back to my childhood and where I grew up, many
FAI T H
mixed emotions arise. But ultimately, I feel a deep sense of
My mom worked as the church secretary throughout our
gratitude.
childhood. Much of our family activities revolved around My folks were high school sweethearts, got married at the
the church and varied from summer camps to learning the
age of 20, had me at the age of 21, and are still married
piano. I even led a youth group band and attempted to
today. My statuesque mom, with model cheekbones, is from
sing on occasion. (Now, I definitely leave the singing to my
a Czechoslovakian background and aptly called ‘Rocki.’ She
hubby! Not my strong suit.) My heart is full of gratitude for
truly is the ‘rock’ of our family! My dad, Glen, was born in
the humble beginnings and for the deep sense of faith my
Japan to an American soldier and Japanese mother and they
mother instilled in us early on. Regardless of my exciting
moved to Texas when he was 5. My first home was in a trailer
global adventures, I always remember and appreciate where
park, complete with a tire swing and plenty of yard to run
I came from. Like everyone, I faced challenges as a child, but I
around in. It was the perfect setting for this precocious little
choose to focus on the wonder and magical moments of my
tomboy. It was not in my nature to sit still long and I wanted
childhood. For years, I played the victim and blamed everyone
to be outdoors exploring, playing with bugs, or playing sports
else for my circumstances. As Dr. Dyer said, ‘Change the way
with the boys. Channelview was a small town mixed with a
you look at things and the things you look at change.’
suburbia feel where everyone knew everyone.
10
ELLA Inspires Magazine
