Last night, I got an email from my mother (sent to her entire email list) about a mysterious red van with out of state plates that had been trying to entice middle school age boys into their vehicle.   Luckily both of the boys approached got a creepy feeling and ran.

Unfortunately, this is not an urban legend.

I heard the story yesterday at soccer practice, one of the former players little brothers was one of the boys approached and his mom had told a few of the parents about it that day.

When my son got in the car I asked him if he knew that his friends brother was almost abducted and he said sure.  I got a text message about it.

This morning we were talking about it again and I asked him, exactly when did you get a text message?

“two days ago, right after it happened”

My son had known to be on the look out for a red van for two days.  His mom, even being pretty tech savvy didn’t get the memo until a full day later.  If parents employed the same tools our kids did, the chance of catching those bozos would have greatly increased.  Instead, many of us relied on good ole chatting by the car and/or email which doesn’t follow everyone where ever they go like the cell phone.

I am still impressed that the message has gotten around our community with out it being out in the open for the bad guys to even know that we knew to be looking for them.

My son has a favorite teacher.  His 3rd and 4th grade teacher, Miss P.  Actually, my whole family loves this woman.  She makes such an impact in his life.

STILL.

She is one of those teachers that makes teaching great.
She chose to leave an “easy” job in one of the wealthiest areas of our state to teach in the inner city.  Where every kid needs her, every day.

The begining of the summer the 14 yr old and I had lunch with her and she told us about her kids.  She told us how 5th grade graduation is celebrated like the prom.  These kids go all out, snazzy dresses and 3 piece suits.

Why? I asked.
Because, their parents know most of them won’t see another graduation.  5th grade.
FIFTH GRADE.
They will have babies, they will go to jail, they will join a gang and just drop out.

She told us that the school security guard won’t chase people off the property who break into the dumpster, it is that dangerous.
Yet, she is down there, every day.
She has had security escorts to her car because she made one of the parents angry.
She has had threats, more than once.
Yet, she is down there, every day.
She also is one of the most loved and most requested teachers in that school.
She is one of those teachers that makes teaching great.

So, we are having lunch and she was telling us stories about these kids and my heart was breaking.
And my 14 yr old, he wants to do something about it.
He wants to help.
So, help, he did.

Before school started he (and I) took a trunk load of school supplies to her classroom.
Here is the email I got after the first day of school (names have been changed)

OH MY….I know that I can’t even put into words what a difference you made at school today!!!
Unbelievable…But I have to try and share…

Scenerio:
Most kids are walking into their new classroom with backpacks, supplies, chatter etc. “Where’s my desk? Where do I put my things?…Where are my friends?”

In walks T…’Mean-muggin” all the way. His face is angry…his arms are folded…he won’t speak and slouches into his chair. “I hate being here…I hate this…I hate life in general…I hate you.” That’s the body language says….and I’m reading the same thing on a quite a few of my new ‘crew’.

Of course, one of the first things we do is find out how to ‘organize’ and put our supplies in the right places. Make our space our own…T is hating all of this. He has a folder he borrowed from someone and a notebook on top of his desk…just so it doesn’t look like he has nothing…nothing…

Mean-muggin’ bad time…shooting daggers to kill…

I continue, as you know I do so well….but I introduce our “New” Supply Store!! I continue to tell them that I know they have supplies on the way, but I want to make sure everyone has everything they need on the FIRST day…so…(my hope-to-be brilliant idea) we have an IOU system at our store…

Pause — the IOU system…I tell them that I don’t give things away for free (which is what many of them expect). I told them that they may borrow from the store and earn the right to own. However, earning isn’t in $$$ value. They checked out at the store with their name and what they were ‘borrowing’ and I would let them know the plan to ‘own’. — This is a great incentive throughout the first month(s)…responsible behavior, errands, kindness, ’special’ jobs, playing with someone that they don’t know…etc. Each time I see these positive behaviors they privately ‘earn’ one of their supplies.

If they do bring in supplies throughout the week(s) they may trade or donate to the “store”.

Back to T…this boy’s attitude made a 180 degree change in 30 min. All of the sudden, he was happy — talking to kids in his table group (team)…and loving his first day at school. Writing labels and his name on folders, notebooks, brand new school supplies. He was no longer….different, unprepared and ‘without’….

16….yes 16 of my 28 students shopped at the “supply store” today. That’s 16 lives impacted today.
My eyes are teary just remembering.

I am still an ‘academic’/grade teacher, but I have ,over the years ,begun to think of myself as a teacher of not only content — but resilience. There are so many aspects of these kids’ lives they can’t control….and I have to teach them to not use their environment as an excuse — but use strategies to become resilient and overcome their circumstances with choices they CAN control. This is my mission — and often times, battle.

Something as simple as the “Supply Store” (although I know you had to sacrifice to donate $$$ — that was not simple) made such a huge impact in my students’ lives toward building resiliency. The first step on the First day — be comfortable in the environment where you will learn and want to learn. Be (and feel) prepared.

I know I may be rambling…I’m just so greatful for what you did. I wish you could have seen their faces…and the ease and stress of ‘not having’ disappear. It was beautiful.

And BTW…T walked by me after he labeled all his supplies (like he was going to the garbage can) and said quietly, “Thank you Miz P…” That’s it, right there —

Please share this story with “the 14 yr old”. I want him to know how his compassion has impacted the lives of many young 4th graders in my school. So far….far away. Maybe make HIM think forward…:-)

I did share that story with my 14 yr old and he wants to do more.  I am so proud of my kid and the compassion he does have.  It makes my heart swell with pride.  I know when I was his age, it never would have occurred to me that something so simple as spending a few dollars on supplies (when they are so cheap before school) could make such a difference in lives.

Next year we are going to try to do more…maybe get enough for her supply closet to expand down the hall-or throughout the school.

I was at Target tonight and I noticed that they still have supplies really cheap and they are starting to put the more expensive items on clearance.  Maybe there is a teacher in your area that could use a few packs of pens, paper and glue-maybe it is in your own school.

Or maybe it is just offering a bit of service to a teacher who has changed your kids life.

Yesterday Spouselet and I were at the local mall, having lunch before we headed to the Apple store.  There were two women sitting at a table next to us and one of them had an opinion about everything under the sun.  Most of it was how “those people” were ruining her life.

“Over 30% of MY Taxes go to support THOSE people and THEIR programs.”
“I wouldn’t mind helping the old and sick people, its the rest of THEM that I can’t stand taking my tax dollars.”
“Do you realize that because of THOSE people, my health care premiums are through the roof.  and I still have to pay to see a doctor, I have to pay to get medication, I have to pay….”
(you get the picture)

She had a lot opinions and not many solutions.

It made me so sad (and angry).  I kept thinking about all the families that Compassion International helps.  Or the families in areas that never will, in their lifetime have the opportunity to see a doctor, or have electricity, or sit in Panera Bread and (and excuse the use of the term but nothing works better than..) bitch about your incredibly miserable life.  I was also sad because I was reminded of a time when I would sit with one of my friends having lunch and I probably said many of the same things.  Hearing them come out of someoneelse’s mouth was bad enough, but to remember them coming out of your own.

OUCH.

I have made alot of changes in my life over the past year.  I am realizing the role that extreme stress can play on our levels of empathy and compassion.  When you are so busy you meet yourself coming AND going you do get so self focused that no one elses pain matters.  And the pain of other people DOES matter.

We were created for community.

We were created to help.

All of those things, all of that money, is only “mine” for a brief period of time.  I can not take it with me, I can only pass it on.  Wouldn’t it be better for all of us to pass on as much as we can to those who need it?  And not just the ones we THINK really need it, we may never know (or need to) their story.

My heart broke for all of the people that woman was tearing down with her anger.
My heart broke for her.
…and a little bit of my heart broke for her friend who did not say one word during the entire lunch.

As tears rolled down my face (how embarassing in the middle of the mall!) I realized that I am not that person anymore.
I pray that woman, one day, isn’t that person any more too.

*Placed in “The Girls” Category, because the girl on the right, is the one who refers to people as “Them” and the girl on the left is the one that “loves everybody”, Can’t we all just get along.  The one in the middle, she is just searching for a solution.

I think this year, more than most people are scaling back, buying less and giving more. Or maybe it is just the folks I hang with.

I know in my own family we have agreed to cut back and for that, I am very thankful. It frees resources for us to give to others who have never had shoes, want to be self supporting or are getting an education to change their world.

My cousin is the Student Ministries Pastor @Flat Irons Community Church and his wife is the Children’s Ministry Program Director. I listen to every sermon on i Tunes and occasionally watch on their site. They also have a blog and of course, I read it too. Sometimes I wish that I either lived in Colorado OR there was a community like theirs here. They are doing AWESOME things.

Today’s entry on the blog is exactly how I have felt about the Christmas season for the past several years. Actually, I feel that way MOST of the time, but Christmas especially because our rampant consumerism is so obvious.

Check them out.
They are good people! (and I am only related to two of them.)

My cousin is on staff at Flatirons Community Church. He is an awesome kid (anyone in their 20’s is still a kid to me!) and his church is amazing. Every week I download and listen to their podcast. I can not begin to tell you all how these messages combined with my local church community has encouraged me to think and grow in my faith.

A few months ago they did a series on MVP (most valuable player) it has this whole baseball theme and some of the messages were about service-specifically, it is great to have gifts and to be able to use them but SOMETIMES…you are needed some where else.

You may be the best widget maker ever, but if the church doesn’t NEED a widget maker, you might need to help park cars, or change a diaper or welcome new people through the door.

I think that applies to more than just church service or service to God.

I saw evidence of it this weekend with my own kid. I think I have mentioned once or twice that he plays soccer (ok maybe 10 times) and he LOVES to be a mid-fielder or a forward-to score the goals man! But, he will go wherever coach asks him. He isn’t a big fan of being a defender/sweeper, but he is very effective in that job. When it comes to soccer there isn’t anything he won’t do for the team. And that makes me son incredibly proud of him as a mother-especially when I hear other kids say “No. I am NOT going to help the team in that position, I only play blah blah, or I am only ‘good at’ blah blah.”

Sorry baby, in this game, it isn’t all about you.
(hey that is actually a lesson for life ain’t it)

I am looking forward to the day when he will put those skills to use in life and not just on the field.

I have to say that The Red Pepper is one of my most favorite places to eat.  There are two locations in Kentucky, one in LaGrange and the newer one in Crestwood.  Same menu so going to either one is a great treat.  I will say that the Crestwood location has both indoor and out door seating and more tables than the smaller LaGrange Store.

And they are incredibly friendly-of course, it doesn’t hurt that I am in there at least once a week eating.  The other day I was meeting some co-workers for lunch and when I pulled up Laura said “Oh, Look, here comes Molly again.”  My co-workers were in awe!

They also know my standard order and occassionally try to steer me to try something new.  But, honestly people, the Miss Madison is the BEST sandwich ever created.  Check this out:

• Whole Grain Bread
• Turkey
• Spicey Mustard
• Mayo (that I sometimes ask them to old)
• Red Onion (that I also ask to be held)
• Benedictine
• Lettuce and Tomato

Heavenly.

I have tried other things and Laura hasn’t been wrong on what is delicious yet.  So, if you are ever in the area or even driving on Interstate 71 through Kentucky, head on over, you will not be disappointed.

Around the Corner: Laura Chism Photography

There is a place I go at least twice a week for lunch.  I honestly should feature them as my first “around the corner” but, when I saw the photographs that my friend Laura took.

I was speechless.
They are breathtaking.

Now trust me people. (you can ask my family) I am a bit of a design star (snob).  That also tends to bleed over to my personal opininon of photography AND photographers by extension.

This woman can shoot.

Don’t believe me?  Check her out for yourself.
Oh and she has a blog-go give her some love!

I have been thinking about this since I started blogging.  Even before “the girl in the middle”. 

I wanted a way to celebrate my community.
People I know.
Places I frequent.

Part of that need comes from working in various service industries most of my adult life. 

I have not yet decided if it will be a weekly thing-that occurs on a specific day or, if I will just blog about people, places and things when they pop up.