(Article written by Dr. Heston A Young DDS and opening statements by Festus Amoye)

In his touching piece, Dr. Young allows us a look into a few hardships he and his family faced as he was growing up and how he turned those experiences into fiery coals to fuel his passion for helping others. Dr. Young’s piece may cause some of you to reminisce about the hardships you faced during your childhood. It could also provide teachers with insight into what some of their students may be facing outside of school and how to tailor their learning environments better to support them.

One August evening, shortly before the start of my first day of junior high, I sat on my bedroom floor working on two pairs of canvas-style tennis shoes from a discount store like Walmart or Payless. One pair belonged to me, and the other pair belonged to my little brother. We played hard that summer, and our shoes were its testimony. I distinctly remember painting to cover up all traces of that summer from my shoes. Both my parents worked hard, and even at that age, I knew they did their best to scrape up their humble earnings to sustain our family of six. A new pair of shoes was not in the budget.

The school was one of my biggest challenges. I was a terrible student. Elementary school was hell, and it was hard adjusting to middle school. Some teachers showed enough interest in my aptitude to encourage me forward, but not many. On top of that, I could barely count the number of friends I had on one hand. That August evening, as I knelt on my bedroom floor painting our shoes, I was washed with dread at the thought of the ridicule I would receive on the first day of school from other students about the state of my shoes. However, I held on to the hope that if I successfully covered up what summer had done to my shoes, I would stroll through my junior high halls with my head held high.

That was the same summer I began to appreciate my father’s work ethic. I began to observe the hours he worked, the sleep he forfeited, and the time we could not spend together. One warm evening at 11:00 pm, my father woke me up after somehow managing to get home despite having car troubles. His shoulders were slightly hunched, and he had an apologetic look in his eyes as he asked me if I’d come outside and hold the flashlight underneath the car for him while he tried troubleshooting the mechanical issue. I didn’t hesitate. I quickly scrambled out of my bed, writhed my feet into my shoes, and ran outside, hoping my assistance would help him catch a few extra hours of sleep that night. Unfortunately, it didn’t, and I crawled back into bed long before he reluctantly slouched back inside the house himself. He was finally accepting that the car wouldn’t get fixed that night.

Through all of the challenges, our family faced, my father held onto his dream to work in his passion as a chef. As time went on, he sacrificed even more sleep and more time to develop recipes. After a long day at work, I observed how he would head straight to the kitchen without taking a moment to relax and how I would wake to the sound of him creating recipes in the middle of the night. I knew it wasn’t easy for him, and I’d often ask myself how he went so hard. Eventually, his sacrifices paid off, and he achieved his dream of opening his bakery. When I matured, I realized my parents had given up more than I could have ever imagined to get us to where we were in life. They had no help. All they had was the self-righteous judgment of family and a few friends to offer encouragement. Eventually, their example influenced me, and I became determined to set myself on a path to achieve more. Their sacrifices would not be in vain.

When I discovered Dentistry, I was utterly ambivalent about how I might realize such a dream. I did have the time in military service and a deployment to Iraq, which steeled my resolve to figure it out. Seeking out dental student organizations, changing my job in the Army to be in the dental field, and engaging mentors were the methods I used to “Be, Know, and Do.” There were so many obstacles I had to make a conscious decision to ignore. Acknowledgment of these challenges would have caused me to see how unrealistic my goals were. All I knew was that achieving this dream would validate my father’s work. I kept pushing forward, making progress, and one day I was there.

Now when I see those who might be quickly cast aside, I am inspired to put in an extra hour. After all, my father did it for me. When I see the cry for help in the eye of a brother who wants desperately to “make it,” I am inspired to guide. After all, my teachers did it for me. When I see a kid in a pair of worn shoes on the first day of school, I remember where I came from. My children would not enjoy their lifestyle without the sacrifices of a few people who took the time to show me…how to give.

I’m often asked, “When do you sleep?”. I sleep. Well, I don’t sleep much. If you see me tired if you wonder why just know I’m about my father’s work.

Reaching back to help someone move forward with my Compass Program partnered with #ladderingyoursuccess. Teaching with #mdiprep where I once benefitted from a doctor who taught and mentored me. Teaching with UT GPR where I learned so much. CO-chairing the dental health committee at #greaterhoustondentalsociety where I got my feet wet in policy.

I still have dreams to achieve and so little time. What’s a little sleep.

Thank you, Mr. Alonzo
Thank you, Ms. Mueller
Thank you, Ms. Tammany
Thank you, Mr. Montrose
Thank you, Mr. Torrez
Thank you, Mr. Lemon
Thank you, Mr. Kadel
Thank you, Mr. Monroe
Thank you, Mr. Nellis
Thank you, Mr. Appleman
Thank you Mrs. Lippoldt-Mac
Thank you, Pastor Moore
Thank you, Dr. Yammine
Thank you, Colonel Hogans
Thank you Sergeant Bride
Thank you, Sergeant Newbold
Thank you, Captain Hosford
Thank you Sergeant Dalmyda
Thank you, Dr. Wayne
Thank you, Dr. Vida
Thank you Dr. Grygo
Thank you, Dr. Sutton
Thank you Dr. Lising
Thank you, Dr. McIntosh
Thank you, Dr. Butler
Thank you, Dr. Matthews
Thank you, Dr. Salter
Thank you, Dr. Reeves
Thank you, Dr. Woods
Thank you, Dr. Mercer
Thank you, Dr. Grant-Mills
Thank you, Dr. Reid
Thank you, Dr. Jackson
Thank you, Dr. Rouse
Thank you, Dr. Eiland
Thank you, Friends -especially my late friend Kellen whom I miss incredibly.
Thank you, Mom,
Thank you, Dad, for the inheritance of compassion, work ethic, love, wisdom, perseverance, generosity. As I pass these values on to my children, I only hope to be the example you have been to me.

Proverbs 13:22: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.

Big things to come.