Don't feel betrayed by that little girl. Sure it hurt, but she was in fear and that poor girl probably does not want to get a beating. She was scared and I am sure she may feel bad. Remember you have a lot of special gifts to offer these children and that you have given them some light at the end of their tunnels - bless you. I am sure they like the attention and the love that they crave that they don't get at home. You will be okay, have faith.

Sweeny I can almost guarantee when you're older and retired, you will look back on your career and remember such moments with Jahquell and not the situation with the little girl and her father. It's amazing how far such beautiful moments can leave a mark on your soul. So even if things get you down, just remember it will all be worth it in the long run.

oh wow.

i just took the time to read this, and i'm truly touched and a bit teary.

i feel what you are saying sweeny and i'm glad you communicated the way you did and shared this story.

i think what you do is amazing. there was one point in my life where i thought my calling was to help children in some way, but (professionally) that was a far cry from what i was actually trained to do. i thought about being a child's advocate for the courts and at one point became a mentor. that aside, i did not and do not think i have the strength to do what you do. i think it would break me in some way, i would want to bring every child home with me. when i mentored this little boy he told me a story of falling asleep in a chair over his mother's boyfriend's house, and i asked him a question about his bed and he said he did not have one, and it was really hard to keep my feelings in check because i wanted to run right out and buy that boy a bed. but that would not change his situation, and we are there to respect who they are because they go home to their own situations in the end anyway (provided there's no abuse or what have you). that is all really hard for me, because i have an innate need to 'fix it'.

but this is not about me.

i just want to thank you for what you do and for the difference you make in this world because i believe you truly do, and for that you are amazing. i don't know you that well but i believe you have a strength beyond your own recognition. bless you girl.

and that trip truly was divine intervention. please don't ever lose faith.

*hugs*

luv4u said:

I understand why she did it...I still feel hurt by it though
thank you

JDINTERACTIVE said:

I know cutie pie Thanks!

starkitty said:

That is EXACTLY what it is like starkitty... you do want to "fix"everything for them but you can't.

I am not above those feelings.

Thank you for your compliments.... I thank everyone for their's too...but that is not why I started this thread. I experienced something powerful yesterday and I wanted to share that experience.

But still Thank you all..... thank you Starkitty.... for all of your kind and supporting words.

for Starkitty

for everyone

starkitty said:

Absolutely.....

Thanks for sharing this dear Sweeny... very moving, and I completely feel, and agree with your perspective about the experience... it's amazing how some experiences can impact your life and powerfully enlighten your day to day life...

Thankfully you were protected, I have always believed that things happen for a reason, even the most tragic things... sometimes we don't know the reasons, let alone understand them, but I do believe that we can salvage profound lessons and/or new appreciations in otherwise heartbreaking or awful situations... Life can sometimes be overwhelmingly difficult and painful, but it is not without its intense beauty, and often that is what makes it all worthwhile. I'm glad you have the love and support from those close to you, it can make the world of difference.

Much love... and strength in all you do.

Diva said:

Thank you very much Diva I feel the same way

Be strong Sweeny, and be careful. I'd have a code red meeting
with the head of security first thing monday morning...

Revolution said:

I plan on it sweets!

Just a quick update....

I notified security in the morning and I had a guard by my classroom door all day.

The little girl was absent and her uncle did not return to the school. Ad ministration seems to have forgotten about it.

It was just a normal Monday but this situation was enough to shake me up quite a bit. Thank you all again for your kind words and support.



I just that all will remain calm

I know you've gotten plenty of hugs already for this but damn it, I'm going to do it anyways!



You rock!

Sweeny79 said:

And maybe you better lay low for a while and come stay with me for a few days. I'd love to have ya!!

NCC2012 said:

Awww... shucks

LittlePill said:

hehehehe

You my friend are innocent. Don't let the silliness of others hurt you. Keep on smiling and hold your head up!
[This message was edited Mon Jun 14 23:29:53 2004 by Jamzone333]