Restoring More Than Buildings: Terrick’s Impact On The Rocky Mount Community

We’ve all said at one time or another, “I’d like to have been a fly on the wall,“ where unseen we could have watched what was happening. I got that opportunity because I was in the right place at the right time. My computer needed a new battery and I had a noon appointment with the Cool Geek, Terrick Pittman. I settled into a chair to await my turn. I listened to Terrick working with a tall, skinny, teenager, Nicolas. In moments I recognized the young man was autistic and Terrick’s heart was on the line for this young man.

I had never seen the inside of a computer. During this get acquainted session, Terrick pointed out this and that to Nicolas. It all looked to me like some mad person had had a breakdown and the results was soldered on a board. Terrick has a good story and he told Nicholas about people who had encourage him. He is a powerful encourager himself that talked to Nicholas about his gifts that make him special. It was a ‘tear to the eye time’ as Terrick spoke one positive message after another. This young Nicolas was in the presence of someone who cared.

I felt privileged to be the fly on the wall and see the heart of a man who is still a work in progress as he turns his own story into a gift to others. I can’t do this story justice, but l believe there is goodness in the world and Rocky Mount, NC has an unusual share of good people. Here is a young boy who must learn to navigate his world through a different pair of glasses because of his autism……sitting beside him a man reaching across the years to help instill hope and worth in Nicolas’ life.

You who read this blog are often encouragers too and you certainly know people who are. Like Terrick, they get up in the morning, put their running shoes on and leave home to do good things for others, for their community and families. People come to Terrick for all kinds of things. A lady came in to work on her resume to find a job, the cell phone rings regularly providing background music for Terrick’s life. This was a regular Tuesday for the Cool Geek. Nicholas is coming back today (Thursday.) He has called to be sure this visit is still on. He has met a man he already trusts..

I’ll leave you with a J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan-line that I love.

Do you know,” Peter asked, “why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories.”

I hope you are a swallow like me.