I admire the courage I see in my new friend Ciera Sharlow, a co-worker at Kennywood, who moved to the Mon Valley from Idaho with her mom when she was only 17. Ciera wants to be courageous in exploring her new home and learning what the Pittsburgh region has to offer but she doesn’t want to do it alone. I am happy to help her.

Things were clearly very different for Ciera when she moved three years ago from Idaho, the potato state, to West Mifflin, the home of the Potato Patch.

Idaho has amazing views. Ciera said Southern Idaho was like a desert. In the distance, you can see big, beautiful mountains. In the summertime, you can still see the snowy white mountain tops.  She even sent me a picture of a small canyon with a bridge crossing it.

Ciera is also having courage to adventure out in Pittsburgh. Despite having her prom at the Carnegie Science Center, she never actually saw the exhibit or a laser show. On my birthday, she joined me on the Gateway Clipper. It was her first time, and she loved the views.

I also plan to take her to her first Pirates game on Aug 4th for Pup Day. That’s when people bring their dogs to the game. Ciera loves dogs. She will dog sit for anyone in her community. It is amazing how she shows courage by watching other people's dogs even though she doesn't know their owners.

She stays in contact with her friend in Idaho through Facebook. Ciera has stayed strong when her mom got knee surgery, her mom is doing much better. Her mom takes care of people, as well. We share a bond taught by our mothers to care for others.

Ciera has a lot more courage in her than she knows.

Ciera had her appendix suddenly removed two weeks before Kennywood Holiday Lights ended. I even sent her two Diamond Art kits featuring her favorite animals, a raccoon and a red panda.

She will turn 21 on November 19th. She said she would go on The Haunted Three Rivers tour on the Gateway Clipper with me. I also plan on taking her to Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens so she can see many different plants and to her first 21+ party at the Science Center in December. But Ciera will see the Science Center before then because she is going to be my plus one at the volunteer appreciation dinner.

Ciera has a lot of courage in her to try something new. Ciera said that she is not a good dancer, but I still want to invite her to the line dances held at The McKeesport Palisades twice a month on Fridays. I have never been to one, but I always wanted to go.  

I also want to bring Ciera to a Bingo fundraiser that the McKeesport Little Theater is holding at the White Oak Athletics Association on September 6. It is sing-along bingo. Ciera loves sing-alongs.

 I am still getting to know Ciera. I want to show her more of McKeesport since she lives in West Mifflin. She takes the bus too which is a challenge for both of us. Ciera takes the 59 Mon Valley, which has scheduling problems. Believe me, I know what she is going through.

I am 32, but I have found the courage to become a better person. I learned to show courage from my siblings. They showed me that sometimes sibling relationships can change over time. Ciera and I have become close like sisters.

Change can be a challenge. I have learned to help younger people including Ciera by showing courage and being like a sibling to them and their friend.

Showing courage and taking that first step shows how much people can care about others.

Courage is being there for anyone young or old or when they might feel alone or down. Courage is sacrificing your time for others who might need help or protection. Courage is there every day from the slightest hug of compassion to fighting a big war across the seas.  

Courage will forever be a life changing experience if we learn to take that first step to have courage.

–Maria Palmer