Getting an Edu(ma)cation

I never realized what power a person can have. How their control can literally change lives.

I was a substitute this Friday and last for preschool boys and I literally had a life changing revelation. (No singing choir though). Parents only want their child to be happy, to succeed, to be healthy and happy. And everyday they give that massive responsibility to their child's teacher to carry out. They have to believe that the teacher will mold and shape their children into that vision. It's frightening. And then, the teacher her/himself must live up to that incredibly difficult job. They have to show love and firmness, fun and strictness. They have to discipline, educate, model, perform and even teach! Being in a classroom with young kids just made me so scared for my future children. Will they learn? Will their teacher treat them like a curious child, or like a rebellious wreck? Will they fulfill their potential every day? Or fall through the cracks?

It's petrifying to think about.

Through These Eyes

If I asked you to hold my hand

Would you guide me somewhere safe?

I can't help but trust you

Your very presence assures me

How could you be

A monster

A mean old man

Or scary lady?

Will you tuck me in at night

And scare away all the things under my bed

Read me a story

And give me a kiss

Why would I ever suspect

That something is amiss?

I've been told to respect you

To understand that there is someone

Bigger than me

Smarter than me

Who knows more

Has seen more

And would only protect me.

I see the world

Through new eyes

I could never realize

That there are people

Who would want to hurt me

After all

I am only a child.

After hearing about the shooting in Newtown, CT and reading article upon article that tries to make sense of what happened, it's clear to me that what happened will never make sense. To descend upon a school of children, who are the most vulnerable, weak, and innocent in society, is an act that can never be explained, analyzed, rationalized, "psychologized" or understood. Don't bring proofs or reasoning. Just hug your child, sister, brother, or parent a little bit tighter. Give thanks for everything that is good in your life. And pray that those families who lost a loved one, an innocent child, or mother or sister can eventually find some comfort and happiness.