Quote of the Week

We are all born with God-given, unique traits and skills. But as
with all possibilities they will remain unrealized unless they are
developed, nurtured and put into practice.

::: Leo Buscaglia :::

I spent an hour this morning with a few students at the alternative school (where you go if you've been kicked out of the local jr. high/sr. high schools) and was touched, as always, at the earnest nature of the children there. They want to thrive, they want to succeed, but there are so many doors slammed in their faces because of socio-economic status, behavioral issues, illiteracy, etc. One young man told me all about going into the Marines after graduation. I asked if his family was okay with him joining up (die hard anti-war hippie me, after all) and he said, "They are glad to get rid of me."

This child, that is so good with construction he can re-create anything out of wood, tries so hard to please that you are worried he can be taken advantage of in the real world, who talks about his little sister with such love, sticks up for girls when other guys hit on them, praises his classmates, jokes with his teachers and the officers that work there, has a golden aura about him... this child's parents can't wait to get rid of him???

I told him not to be a hero, to be careful, and to not forget how amazing he is at woodworking. I can only hope that he is taken under some kind hearted person's wing, nurtured, and allowed to let this talent come to fruition.