RIP Innocence of Youth...

Thursday morning a couple of my students told me about another student in my class who had been trying to tell a kindergartener what puberty was. Because there had been a couple of prior incidents that seemed unrelated until now with this "purveyer-of-knowledge-student", I started to document my concerns in an email to the principal. Before I could hit "send" I had to take my students to music.

I stopped in the restroom, 2 minutes, tops! As I come out of the faculty room I see 6 of my girls waiting for me. They all start gushing information and hand me a note with names and a list of words and phrases. I have to calm them down. We are in the middle of a busy hall intersection that at the moment is empty but voices carry so I direct them down the hall. There is a little bench for me to sit on. I start asking questions and taking notes.

Apparently, this particular purveyer of knowledge has accomplices. The "vocabulary" list begins with initials and I ask what they mean... all the girls blush... when they describe it for me I realize I know the term and the initials but it's street slang and so far from my use it didn't register until they start telling me... the other words and their meanings are worse...

So I get more names and details and inside I'm weeping because moms and dads now have to explain the birds and bees to ten-year olds and help them overcome the filth and disgust they feel because of how they were introduced to it. Goodbye innocence of youth. Whatever happened to the carefree days of just having fun. So sad... one mother even said to me that the light in her daughter's eyes had gone out and not returned yet...

I was on the phone for what seemed hours. The conversation with the girls' parents was hard and I had to assure them that the principal was aware and an investigation had already begun. The conversation with the boys' parents was harder. I had to tell them the words and gestures their sons had been using at school. And there are consequences...

Yesterday felt like a really, really, REALLY long day.

Gifts from Heaven...

My father's cousin recently sent me an email and asked me to phone him. When I called, he asked if he and his wife Mary could come by. They brought us a book and a music cd by Kim Rives. Both Mark and I were touched by the story, so much so that we invited many friends and family into our home to hear her share her message. The caption on the back of the book reads, "Kim Rives died of cancer. Heaven sent her back with a message." Her experiences have helped me feel and respond differently to our challenges. Her spirit is kind and gentle and powerful. Kim self-published her book so it is not available in stores. I am sharing information here so you can get a copy for yourself. It is truly worth the cost and the time to read it.

I've read several books of people who've had near death experiences. One of those was the one by Lance Richardson. I learned about that book from Terri and Brenda several years ago. I've also read others and honestly, each one touched my heart and helped broaden my understanding. I am especially touched by this book, more so than by the others, because of the way she helps me understand the Savior even better. I have been in awe of Him and his atonement for years. I am even more in awe even to the point of beginning to understand the phrase, sore amazed. What a blessing it is to have a testimony of Him. I am more grateful than words can express.

I am including links to her webpage where you can buy the book and also to a video clip that will help you feel the beautiful spirit and testimony she shares.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnRZGLkp2M4

http://kimrives.com/My_Walk_Through_Heaven/Home.html