Shannon Falls, August 2012

Friday, September 4, 2009

Our Greatest Gift

As I was putting our son to bed tonight, I was nearly moved to tears looking at Hayden. David and I enjoy our baby boy so very much and can't wait to experience all of life with him. Every day I see students whose parents either never wanted them or who find their children a mere inconvenience. My heart breaks for these kids. They act out in order to gain some sort of attention--usually it's negative, but someone is still focused on them for that amount of time.

I will never understand why people have babies when they either aren't ready or don't even desire them. So many couples crave being able to hold their own child and are unable, while others have children they do not want. I'm not saying this is the case for all of my students, but more often than not this year I've been told that "so-and-so's" mom repeatedly tells her she doesn't want her or his folks don't care what's going on in his life and we'll never see them. I witnessed an exchange between my principal and a sweet young boy that broke my heart today. Unfortunately, I can't give details because anyone can read this, but I will say that watching my students makes me realize how much responsibility I do have and how badly I do not want to mess up raising my son. I am so grateful to have a husband who desires to raise our children in a Godly home. I also do not have to parent alone!

Every night before bed I tell Hayden I love him and how special he is. Every night. I do tell my students I love them (especially when I'm the most frustrated) because I want them to know that no matter what I do care for them. Some of them never hear positive words; how tragic to be constantly belittled and to know you are not wanted. If a student feels safe in my room and if he/she hears encouragement only for 55 minutes a day, then at least I've given him/her that. How great a gift to be able to bear and raise children (even if they're not your biological children--adoption is an amazing gift as well); I only wish we all felt the same way.


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