Sharlee Jeter - The Stuff: Unlock Your Power to Overcome Challenges, Soar, and Succeed

Thank you for downloading this Simon & Schuster ebook.

Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.

We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster ebook.

Get a FREE ebook when you join our mailing list. Plus, get updates on new releases, deals, recommended reads, and more from Simon & Schuster. Click below to sign up and see terms and conditions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Already a subscriber? Provide your email again so we can register this ebook and send you more of what you like to read. You will continue to receive exclusive offers in your inbox.

Gallery Books / Jeter Publishing

An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

Copyright 2018 by Sharlee Jeter and Sampson Davis, M.D.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Gallery Books hardcover edition May 2018

GALLERY BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or .

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.

Interior design by Davina Mock-Maniscalco

Jacket image by Stocksy

Illustration on Tom Booth

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-5011-7515-2

ISBN 978-1-5011-7517-6 (ebook)

For Jalen and Bella, may you always live a life dedicated to helping others find their Stuff.

Sharlee

For my sons, Jaxson and Luke.

Always do your best.

Sampson

the Stuff: [ stuhf ] noun:

a cultivatable inner fortitude used by people to overcome obstacles, soar, and succeed

by Derek Jeter

M y younger sister, Sharlee, the coauthor of this book, is one of the strongest people Ive ever known. When she was just twenty years old and still in college, she was diagnosed with cancer. But instead of giving up, my sister fought back. Sharlee and I have always been close, but sometimes the people you know best can still surprise you. When she got sick, I saw something in her I hadnt realized was therean incredible well of perseverance and courage she used to overcome her lifes toughest challenge. As I was then, Im still inspired by her story and know shes not alone in finding the Stuff within her during an immense personal trial.

Although Sharlee was the one truly suffering, my parents and I were also sick with worry and disbelief. It was among the most trying times of our lives, but we drew strength from her resilience. Seeing her determination made us stronger, too. We knew we had to be to provide her the quality of support she deserved. But even when I just wanted to drop everything and head home to be with hertalking to her or teasing her or holding her hand through all those treatmentsI had to press forward and keep living my day-to-day life. My entire family had to keep going, even though it was hard to do. Watching my parents find the Stuff within themselves and use it to remain confident that Sharlee was going to be okay was also inspiring. We believed she was going to beat this thing. And she did. Seeing her dig deep inside herself to access an inner power to prevail was amazing. I think she even surprised herself. Sharlee indeed had the Stuff.

I first met Dr. Sampson Davis at a high school leadership conference my Turn 2 Foundation hosted in Chicago. Since then, hes become close friends with my sister and a steady supporter of our foundations efforts and participants. Sampsons story has been an inspiration to others for many years. His journeygrowing up in Newark, New Jersey, and becoming a successful doctor and motivational speakeris one we showcase to the young people we serve. Hes got the Stuff, too.

Both my sister and Sampson have faced tremendous challenges, and not only did they come out on the other side as stronger individuals, but theyve also both made it their mission to help others realize their own potential. They have a passion for giving back and sharing what theyve learned and experienceda quality I admire in every courageous person with a motivational story to tell.

The individuals profiled in this book are incredible, and how they overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, stayed so hopeful, kept charge of their lives, and remained resilient in the face of trauma and tragedy can provide all of us with tremendous insight. Stories of triumph energize us to become better people. I hope reading this book arms you with the tools you need to tackle whatever hurdles stand in your way and that it will newly inspire you to believe in yourself and what youre capable of achieving. Dive into any chapter and you will be moved by the stories you read. These people might not be world-famous athletes or celebrities, but they are true heroes. This book shows us that, just like them, we are going to have good days and bad ones, and life may hit us hard at one point or another. But, just like them, were going to keep pushing forward, discover the best parts of who we are, and do amazing things for ourselves and our families, for our communities, and for the whole world around us.

Weve got the Stuff, and we always will.

In the depth of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

Albert Camus

When Sharlee Asked the Question

EARLY SPRING 2001

B ritney and I are speeding in her car on the back roads from Spelman College to the Atlanta airport. Its the second Thursday of the month, right on schedule, and were late for my plane. The music is blasting and all the windows of the car are rolled down and were both singing along with Alanis Morissette at the top of our lungs and were both terrible singers. Britney has a whole head full of long, long braids, and as she drives her braids dance in the wind. My hair is patchy and shorter, and Im trying hard to think of an excuse to miss my flight. An idea dawns on me, and I smile.

Britney! I yell.

She stops singing long enough to glance in my direction. Yeah?

I need to stop.

What for?

Water.

Water?

Theres a gas station just ahead. Please stop. I gotta get a bottle of water.

Im still smiling.

Britney signals, begins to pull over, and says, Okay, Sharlee. But if you miss this flight, its not going to be because of me.

She screeches to a stop and we both run inside. Were superlate now, but I take my time in front of the glass doors of the cooler, examining all the different brands of water to see whats what. Water is water and I know that, but Im trying to get to that place where missing my plane wont look like its my fault. I can imagine me on the phone with my mother. Whoops, missed my flight. Yeah, we needed to stop. What am I going to do?