On the way to work this morning, I was listening to a popular morning radio show here in the desert. Nine times out of ten, this experience provides me with just enough meaningless banter for me to survive the 30 minutes of traffic I must tolerate before I am able to throw open the doors of my classroom and mentally prepare for the wild onslaught of 150 hormone-in-excess(ed) middle school students.
Other than the fact that I got to kiss both my kids goodbye (a nice treat, since they are usually asleep), today was no different than most days. Except for the radio show. With my seat-belt securely fastened, and my mirrors in their proper positions, I turned on the radio. Backing out of my driveway, I was just in time to hear the end to some song I probably won't remember in ten years. The DJ's then came on and began discussing a news story, that despite its importance, will likely not gain a quarter of the attention it deserves.
Apparently, after a year and a half of being bullied at school, a 13 year-old boy ended his own life. His parents claim he was bullied for being small for his age, for his lack of athletic prowess, and...for being gay. His parents also claim to have notified the school in the past regarding the bullying that their son was enduring, but they say nothing was ever done to put an end to the situation. For whatever reason, the school disputes the claim that they were ever contacted by the parents.
There is probably something more to the story. But nothing can change the fact that a young life was stolen from our world, and that is downright inexcusable - it is sickening, and we as human beings should be outraged that events like this are allowed to occur.
Some might argue that, as a race, we have come a long way from (wherever) we started. We all benefit everyday from mind-boggling advancements in science and technology, and maybe the world is a better place for them. But, as a teacher, sometimes I watch my students (and their families) and I have to wonder if we aren't moving in the wrong direction.
I am probably a bigger tech-head than I would care to admit...but do you remember the days before cell phones? Or computers? MySpace? Facebook? Texting? Sure, I LOVE the convenience and time I can save by Google-ing remote control codes for my universal remote. But in the same time it takes me to access those codes, a young teen can post a negative, rude, hurtful comment about a peer, and 3 other students can add their own hateful remarks to the original posting.
I guess what I am forced to wonder is, where is our common sense? Maybe common sense is a myth, and that we never truly had it to begin with. But the optimist is me says otherwise. Parents, Community Members, Fellow Human Beings, I implore you...please, whenever and wherever you see bullying, take a stand. Talk to your kids about bullying, and help them to develop the skills they need to take the "power" away from the bully. Teach them to go to adults with any bullying issues they might face, and keep your communication lines open so they know they can come to you when they are feeling threatened or bullied. Follow up with other adults and the school to make sure the situation is being dealt with promptly and properly. Monitor your kids on the internet. And above all else, remember that you are their PARENT. You are your child's advocate. Empower yourself by learning and staying involved in your child's life. If you are a parent, you have the responsibility to BE a PARENT.
That's common sense to me, I guess...If you are a parent, if you have a child depending upon you for whatever reason or under whatever circumstances, you have a responsibility to BE a PARENT. That 13 year old didn't die because he was gay. He died because we failed him. No one should have to tolerate being bullied.
This post is dedicated to the 13 year-old boy, whose death changed my day, and to all victims of bullying in the world. Enough is enough.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Is something in the water?
At 32 years old, I must admit that I feel very young. Yeah, I could stand to lose a few pounds, and perhaps my hair is a little thinner than it was 10 years ago, but overall, I'd have to say that "old" is just not I word I would use to describe myself.
This year, though, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon occurring all around my similar-aged friends. And yes, even we got caught up in it....It seems I can't sneeze without opening my eyes and finding out a friend or a family member is pregnant! Now, while I am mostly certain that my sneezing is not to blame for these events, I have to wonder what exactly is going on...
Three years and 18 days ago, we met our son for the first time. We brought him home 28 days later, knowing what a blessing he would be for us - two guys who dreamed of having a family, but not really having the resources to make that dream a reality. It was almost by happenstance that Son entered our lives; a co-worker of husband had known we were interested in adopting, and it just so happened that her niece was searching for a happy, healthy home in which to place her son. How we managed to come up with the money to cover attorneys' costs, I may never know, but we managed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Fast-forward...Husband is at a different school, with an entirely different staff. We had just returned home from our Christmas break, during which Husband, Son, and I spent some quality time at the family's cabin in Montana. One evening, while relaxing in front of the stove, Husband and I were contemplating how lucky we were to have our son almost fall into our laps. Only days later, 264 days ago from today, to be exact, we would be back home, resuming work, and Husband would receive the phone call from a co-worker that would change our lives. Again.
It would appear that Husband's co-worker knew of a young woman who was pregnant and desperately trying to find a happy, healthy home in which to place her unborn baby girl. Again, how we managed to come up with the money, I am certain I will never know. This, as it appears, was a twice-in-a-lifetime event.
And so here we are, back to bottles and diapers, formula and teething once again. We couldn't be happier. Daughter has added a whole new dynamic to our family, one that we weren't aware that we were missing, but one that we certainly can't live without. There is something magical, something beyond everyday human experience, in watching the bond form and grow between Daughter and Son. But I have to admit, 2 kids is a LOT of work!
Husband and I have talked a lot in recent days about how lucky we are, and about how perfect our family is for us. Here we were, two guys who never believed they would have children, and now we have two. But, Husband and I now laugh...2 kids is just right...3? That would be CRAZY! So, we think we are "closed for business" as far as any future adoptions are concerned. And yet, everywhere we turn, our "breeding" friends and family are announcing pregnancies (for many, it is a second or a THIRD!). There has to be something in the water.
Therefore, Husband and I are announcing immediately...we will no longer be drinking water. From here on out, it will be safe-drinking habits for us! Now, where did I put that cork-screw?
Cheers, everyone!
This year, though, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon occurring all around my similar-aged friends. And yes, even we got caught up in it....It seems I can't sneeze without opening my eyes and finding out a friend or a family member is pregnant! Now, while I am mostly certain that my sneezing is not to blame for these events, I have to wonder what exactly is going on...
Three years and 18 days ago, we met our son for the first time. We brought him home 28 days later, knowing what a blessing he would be for us - two guys who dreamed of having a family, but not really having the resources to make that dream a reality. It was almost by happenstance that Son entered our lives; a co-worker of husband had known we were interested in adopting, and it just so happened that her niece was searching for a happy, healthy home in which to place her son. How we managed to come up with the money to cover attorneys' costs, I may never know, but we managed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Fast-forward...Husband is at a different school, with an entirely different staff. We had just returned home from our Christmas break, during which Husband, Son, and I spent some quality time at the family's cabin in Montana. One evening, while relaxing in front of the stove, Husband and I were contemplating how lucky we were to have our son almost fall into our laps. Only days later, 264 days ago from today, to be exact, we would be back home, resuming work, and Husband would receive the phone call from a co-worker that would change our lives. Again.
It would appear that Husband's co-worker knew of a young woman who was pregnant and desperately trying to find a happy, healthy home in which to place her unborn baby girl. Again, how we managed to come up with the money, I am certain I will never know. This, as it appears, was a twice-in-a-lifetime event.
And so here we are, back to bottles and diapers, formula and teething once again. We couldn't be happier. Daughter has added a whole new dynamic to our family, one that we weren't aware that we were missing, but one that we certainly can't live without. There is something magical, something beyond everyday human experience, in watching the bond form and grow between Daughter and Son. But I have to admit, 2 kids is a LOT of work!
Husband and I have talked a lot in recent days about how lucky we are, and about how perfect our family is for us. Here we were, two guys who never believed they would have children, and now we have two. But, Husband and I now laugh...2 kids is just right...3? That would be CRAZY! So, we think we are "closed for business" as far as any future adoptions are concerned. And yet, everywhere we turn, our "breeding" friends and family are announcing pregnancies (for many, it is a second or a THIRD!). There has to be something in the water.
Therefore, Husband and I are announcing immediately...we will no longer be drinking water. From here on out, it will be safe-drinking habits for us! Now, where did I put that cork-screw?
Cheers, everyone!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
An introduction....
Salutations!
Ok, so I stole that one-word line from a spider, but the sentiment is still the same:
"Salutations means greetings. It's my fancy way of saying hello!" (Thanks, Charlotte!).
Welcome to my adventures in life. I have previously shared some of my experiences in an earlier blog, titled "His2Dads." However, since we are in the final stages of adopting our baby girl, that title clearly lacks the "zing" it once held for me.
The cast in this production includes the following:
*me - a middle school teacher by trade, and an ice-cream-loving, closet "Gleek" by nature
*the husband - an elementary school teacher by day, an out-and-proud "Gleek" by nature
*the son - the energy of a nuclear reaction packaged in the body of a 3-year old boy
*the daughter - a 7-month old princess who is infatuated by her brother
With occasional appearances by:
*the local grandparents
*the long-distance grandparents (both sets)
And:
*any other special guest star who makes their way into the topic
I am so excited to have taken up writing again. I think that I departed from blogging because I discovered Facebook. While Facebook has been "good" for keeping up with "friends" and family, I have found that I am much more of a self-censorer (by the wavy red lines, I can see that Blogger clearly needs to add "censorer" to their dictionary...it's the latest craze, everyone's sayin' it!)...I digress...
Anyway, I hope to write about topics important to me. If they strike a chord with you, I'd like to hear about it. Leave me a message, share your thoughts, add your insight. But above all else, be real. I will do the same.
And now, on with the show!
Ok, so I stole that one-word line from a spider, but the sentiment is still the same:
"Salutations means greetings. It's my fancy way of saying hello!" (Thanks, Charlotte!).
Welcome to my adventures in life. I have previously shared some of my experiences in an earlier blog, titled "His2Dads." However, since we are in the final stages of adopting our baby girl, that title clearly lacks the "zing" it once held for me.
The cast in this production includes the following:
*me - a middle school teacher by trade, and an ice-cream-loving, closet "Gleek" by nature
*the husband - an elementary school teacher by day, an out-and-proud "Gleek" by nature
*the son - the energy of a nuclear reaction packaged in the body of a 3-year old boy
*the daughter - a 7-month old princess who is infatuated by her brother
With occasional appearances by:
*the local grandparents
*the long-distance grandparents (both sets)
And:
*any other special guest star who makes their way into the topic
I am so excited to have taken up writing again. I think that I departed from blogging because I discovered Facebook. While Facebook has been "good" for keeping up with "friends" and family, I have found that I am much more of a self-censorer (by the wavy red lines, I can see that Blogger clearly needs to add "censorer" to their dictionary...it's the latest craze, everyone's sayin' it!)...I digress...
Anyway, I hope to write about topics important to me. If they strike a chord with you, I'd like to hear about it. Leave me a message, share your thoughts, add your insight. But above all else, be real. I will do the same.
And now, on with the show!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)