There is this old guy that works at the post office that has a way of brightening my day. He is so freaking funny...I'm going to have to start wearing "Depends" when I have more parcels to mail...So, he's funny. And when I walk in he groans, "Oh no. Not you again. Where are you sending the soap THIS time?"
And then we chat for a few, and he makes me laugh...
So, the other day he says, "I have an idea. There are plenty of people right here that could REALLY use some soap. You could just stand on the corner and hand out your soap to all these dirty people in town."
About 10 second later this really scuzzy looking person walks in, I'm still not sure if it's male or female, and the guy behind the counter looks up and says "HEY! We were just talking about you!!"
I thought I was going to die. It took everything I had to keep my composure until I got out in the truck and proceeded to belly laugh, tears streaming down my face, all the way back home.
Aghh...small town life....
I had a huge discussion with my kids this morning about bullying. Seems Big Son was called to the office for an incident that he may or may not have taken part in, but the principal has made it Big Son's problem and he has to deal with it accordingly. Apparently there was a student who was made fun of by a large group of kids because he acts very feminine.
I listened while daughter talked of a tiny little fuzzy-headed girl in her class, who just lost her father to suicide before Christmas...and she told me stories of how kids in the class mistreated this child and singled her out...
My blood was boiling.
I talked very openly with the kids about bullying, and tried to tell them stories that would make them empathize with the victims. I asked them to try and imagine how their lives would be different if they weren't accepted by their peers when we moved here, if groups of kids mocked and ridiculed them...
I may have gotten through to them.
I came up with a secret project for just us, and the first rule is they cannot share the details or their behaviors with anyone. They are to find ways every day to make a positive impact in somebody's life. I gave them examples, like leaving their group to hang out with the feminine kid, for instance...whatever it takes.
I told them about suicides, and school shootings, and offered them a chance to be a little light in some one else's world....
Every night we are going to talk about what they did to encourage someone that day. Having no answer in unacceptable...so they better think about it all day and work their magic every chance that they can.
I told them that they wouldn't be 'graded' or 'paid' for their efforts...but would be rewarded in feelings within them that are not measurable by social standards.
I'm looking forward to our discussions this evening....I can't wait to watch them grow through this project.
Alright. I have to run up to the rec center to pick up my little dancers.
Thanks for checking in.
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