I'm just a few days away from a needed spring break. I've been on the road living in some pretty shabby hotels/motels communing with bugs and stale cigarette smoke leaching in my room in my desperate attempt to save up enough money for the 1000 books for the book give away at Principal Park.

My final stop before traveling back home to Oxford, Ohio for a brief rest is Bettendorf to talk to 5 of their elementary schools. The locals refer to this part of Iowa as the Quad Cities, which represent Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois. The Mississippi River divides the two states.

Most hotel rooms go for over 100 dollars a night in Bettendorf, but I found a motel for under 35 dollars and the old adage is certainly true: "You get what you pay for."

Grantwood

My first speaking engagement was at Grantwood. Most of Bettendorf's schools are within a few miles of each other and the goal is to keep the schools below 400 students. Grantwood is a small school that offers each student a personal touch. I spoke to the students in the library. The students sat on carpeted benches while I spoke to them about the meaning of a do-over. One student was insisted that he'd play in the NBA and he was off to a good start in terms of his height advantage over all other 5th grade students. I had a pleasant time and my host, Chris Iossi, ensured all went well.

Mark Twain

I don't know why - call it my own humble beginnings - but I found my visit at Mark Twain similar to my visit at Brubaker in Des Moines. Beth Campbell was a key reason. She was very excited to have me there and made me feel special in so many ways. The kids were highly charged, wanting to excel, and it just felt like I had a lot in common with these students. A speaker does indeed feed off the excitement level of his/her audience.

What was most touching was when I asked one first-grader what her special dream was. She told me with confidence, "To become a singer."

I thought I'd have some fun with her by asking her, "Would you like to sing for us?" I have never had a taker for this brave feat until now.

The first-grader smiled and shook her head up and down. I placed the microphone to her mouth and out came one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. She reminded me of the one young girl in "August Rush" who sang at the Spring Concert in the Park. I often talk to students about living out their dreams and here was this gifted child with the voice of an angel singing her poignant song of hope.

I was honored by her lovely voice and praise can't describe my true thoughts over the inspiration this young girl has given me.