Formal Introduction

Allow me to formally introduce myself to you.

My full name is Treena Renee Glover. I have loved and lived on this Earth for 36 years thus far. I was born into a wonderful, affectionate, good hearted family full of all of God's grace. I was born the youngest of four siblings. My oldest sister, whose name is Teresa is 41 years old. My brother, Darnell, is 40 years old. My older sister, but not the oldest, Tasha, is 38 years old. We are close in age, which allowed for an amazingly close relationship between all of us. There are many success stories circling around my siblings and I...but we are not defined by that.

Though I have an undergrad business degree in Accounting...and worked many years as a Financial Markets Accountant on the trade floor at Cargill in Minnesota...I am not defined by that. Though I have a Masters in Mathematics...and taught at Chicago State University for several years, while simultaneously working at Daley College, the Champs Program at IIT and leading students at Betty Shabazz Charter School as their Math Coach...I am not defined by that. Though I have received numerous awards, rewards and accolades from family, friends, co-workers and print media...I am not defined by that.

I believe we, the human race is defined by our will to give knowing nothing will be returned. Not by what we have or don't have.

I believe we are defined by our patience, our efforts, our compassion, our religion, our struggles to constantly improve ourselves and our ability to be humane. Not by what we look like or who we know.

I am on a mission to help as many people as humanly possible (this is partly what defines me). My love, my will, my zest and my passion for serving others. This is what led me to my current position at the not for profit agency of SOS Children's Villages with the ideas still circling in my mind that I would continue to educate via my writing.

Today I have five wonderful glorious children, ranging in age from two years old to sixteen years old. I don't like to sling the terminology around of foster vs birth...but today I will...in order for you to understand me better. I have a set of two year old twins that I have cared for, for over eighteen months. I am in love with my two bundles of joy. I also have a beautiful and intelligent six year old. My ten year old is a bit feisty, but her compassion runs deep. Though my children think of me as "momma", I am not their legal nor birth mother. I am their foster mother. To protect them and their confidential stories I will not make further reference to them. However, please know that each time I write or move in life they are at the forefront of my consciousness. I have one biological daughter; Essence Casmere Parleen House. Essence turned sixteen years old on November 21, 2008. Essence is the love of my life. I will share more of her with you through my writing.

My goal with my children and others that cross my path is to provide them with hope, information, love, understanding and a desire to push past their problems to become a success in life. In fact, I plan to spend the next ten years of my life working with the population challenged emotionally, mentally and physically.

What I have just shared is a brief insight into my world, my mind...my beliefs.

Now I'd like to share with you some of my interests...

I love to travel, having gone to places like Paris (France), Puerto Rico and states throughout America. I am a voracious reader, attacking books with an unquenchable thirst. My home has six bookshelves loaded from top to bottom with books. My closets still contain boxes of books waiting to be pounced on. I also like taking ceramic, arts & crafts, aerobics and health classes. I love living in Chicago and all of the family activities Chicago has to offer.

Photography is a huge hobby of mine. There was a time in my life when I never left home without a camera. I also love writing and reciting poetry. Speech writing and speech delivery are other facets of my intrigue. My toastmaster family (both in Minnesota and Illinois) played a major role in helping me to refine my presentation skills.

I love winter sports. I joined the Chicago Sno Gophers and have gone on some of the ski outings. I don't desire to be an expert skier, but I do enjoy it and think that it is fun. In addition to skiing, I like tubing and sledding down snow covered hills and mountains.

In the summer, I love going to the beach making sand castles with my children, nieces, nephews and other children who have attached themselves to me for the day. I love going to museums and amusement parks during our hot summer months.

In the fall season I am always taking people with me on nature hikes. I think Martial Arts is a great way to stay fit...so occasionally I'll stop by Bally's Total Fitness in Hyde Park and participate in the TaeKwonDo class. Ya'll I'm locked into a two year membership. I also love taking Belly Dancing Classes this time of year.

In wrapping up my introduction...I'd like to leave with one final thought. God. God is at the base of my life. Though I may make many mistakes...I strive to do what is right in God's eyes. God is my reason for being...my reason for serving others.

I hope you enjoy reading all of the stuff that resides in my mind. I look forward to hearing back from anyone that wishes to respond. I promise to respond to emails within 48 hours (if the volume of responses are reasonable)...otherwise I promise to respond soon.

God Bless!