WHY?????
A harsh look at life.56 total reviews
Comment from Gungalo
Have no fear for your first graders girl for the Lord will look after them this Christmas for sure. Indeed while they may seem very needy the are probably happy with what they do receive.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
  |
Have no fear for your first graders girl for the Lord will look after them this Christmas for sure. Indeed while they may seem very needy the are probably happy with what they do receive.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding the plight of these children.
-
Sigh.
Comment from mumsyone
Good question, Barbara. Why, in a country like ours, should any child go hungry or be homeless? No matter how we look at it, it's all because of greed; the greed of those who want everything for themselves and can't afford to drop a dime in someone else's pocket.
My daughter-in-law is a second grade teacher, so she sees much the same thing from her students. And my husband and I used to go to our local grade school and let the first and second graders read to us. It was easy to see, even with the little time we spent with them, whose parents took an interest and whose didn't.
I understand your tears for the lost lamb of the nativity scene; for the lost lambs in our schools; and for the precious Lamb Who gave His all for us.
Blessings to you for caring about those little ones.
Lois
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
Good question, Barbara. Why, in a country like ours, should any child go hungry or be homeless? No matter how we look at it, it's all because of greed; the greed of those who want everything for themselves and can't afford to drop a dime in someone else's pocket.
My daughter-in-law is a second grade teacher, so she sees much the same thing from her students. And my husband and I used to go to our local grade school and let the first and second graders read to us. It was easy to see, even with the little time we spent with them, whose parents took an interest and whose didn't.
I understand your tears for the lost lamb of the nativity scene; for the lost lambs in our schools; and for the precious Lamb Who gave His all for us.
Blessings to you for caring about those little ones.
Lois
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from mountainwriter49
Good Evening, Barbara
I enjoyed your writing this evening. Though it is sad to read of the conditions in which your school kids live, the story is so uplifting because it reveals the inner beauty of you and your love for these children. Your writing thus resonates with the meaning of Christmas--love and caring for others, particularly the less fortunate.
May I offer one suggestion? I think I detected a singular/plural conflict in the following line:
the only present many of them will receive is [are] the small gifts
A delightful read, Barbara. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas
Ray
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
Good Evening, Barbara
I enjoyed your writing this evening. Though it is sad to read of the conditions in which your school kids live, the story is so uplifting because it reveals the inner beauty of you and your love for these children. Your writing thus resonates with the meaning of Christmas--love and caring for others, particularly the less fortunate.
May I offer one suggestion? I think I detected a singular/plural conflict in the following line:
the only present many of them will receive is [are] the small gifts
A delightful read, Barbara. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas
Ray
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
I have fixed it. Thank you for understanding.
Comment from bob cullen
The final phrase says it all. Christmas is supposed to be about love and peace. Unfortunately, the poor kids you talk about will probable experience neither.
People like you convey the true message of Christmas. You give. May the good Lord bring you both safety and happiness
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
 |
The final phrase says it all. Christmas is supposed to be about love and peace. Unfortunately, the poor kids you talk about will probable experience neither.
People like you convey the true message of Christmas. You give. May the good Lord bring you both safety and happiness
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from w.j.debi
It is baffling why we cannot take care of those who need it most. The children have no control and none of them deserve the harsh circumstances they find themselves in. You're right that there should be a way to help them.
The commercialization of Christmas is getting out of hand. Totally agree with you there. I even saw a billboard offering Christmas loans of $5000 for 5 years at 5%. If people do that they will never get out of debt.
Your question is one we should all stop to ponder. Why?
And how do we change it?
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
It is baffling why we cannot take care of those who need it most. The children have no control and none of them deserve the harsh circumstances they find themselves in. You're right that there should be a way to help them.
The commercialization of Christmas is getting out of hand. Totally agree with you there. I even saw a billboard offering Christmas loans of $5000 for 5 years at 5%. If people do that they will never get out of debt.
Your question is one we should all stop to ponder. Why?
And how do we change it?
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from adewpearl
Barbara, how heartbreaking. Are there NO organizations in your area?
Poverty certainly exists in my hometown and surrounding suburbs, but I can confidently say no kid has to go without holiday food or presents beyond what a teacher would provide on her own. For instance, my church has a Christmas Wish tree for the families who use Upper Merion Emergency Aid. Other churches and individuals support this non-profit organization founded by a couple in my church years ago. In addition to providing gifts for children and parents alike at Christmas, they provide holiday food baskets and a pantry year round. Every year when school begins they take the kids shoe shopping. In Norristown, where the shelter is where I volunteer, just about every church contributes to various pantries and Christmas dinners and Christmas gift parties for kids. They list all the dinners available during the week in a flyer at my shelter, and there must be eight to ten separate lunches and dinners during the week with a holiday menu and some with gifts. Don't you even have Toys for Tots in your area? It just grieves me to think there are not churches and fraternal organizations actively working to make at least Christmas a half decent time in your area for the children. You need to use your writing skills to write a letter to the editor of the local paper or to write an email to the pastors and leaders of your local churches and Rotary Clubs, etc. so that they can get their act together for next Christmas. Brooke
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
Barbara, how heartbreaking. Are there NO organizations in your area?
Poverty certainly exists in my hometown and surrounding suburbs, but I can confidently say no kid has to go without holiday food or presents beyond what a teacher would provide on her own. For instance, my church has a Christmas Wish tree for the families who use Upper Merion Emergency Aid. Other churches and individuals support this non-profit organization founded by a couple in my church years ago. In addition to providing gifts for children and parents alike at Christmas, they provide holiday food baskets and a pantry year round. Every year when school begins they take the kids shoe shopping. In Norristown, where the shelter is where I volunteer, just about every church contributes to various pantries and Christmas dinners and Christmas gift parties for kids. They list all the dinners available during the week in a flyer at my shelter, and there must be eight to ten separate lunches and dinners during the week with a holiday menu and some with gifts. Don't you even have Toys for Tots in your area? It just grieves me to think there are not churches and fraternal organizations actively working to make at least Christmas a half decent time in your area for the children. You need to use your writing skills to write a letter to the editor of the local paper or to write an email to the pastors and leaders of your local churches and Rotary Clubs, etc. so that they can get their act together for next Christmas. Brooke
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
In my school district, yes, it's a huge one, but we have 3000 homeless children. Organizations try to help, but there are so many. I have bought winter coats, shoes, socks, clothes, food. It's horrible, and I get angry with the parents. They go out an do drugs and other illegal things.
-
People really ought to need a license to be a parent and to remain a custodial parent.
-
So true, a few years ago I had a very sweet little her, her custodial aunt came in for a conference and said in front of the child. "The only reason I have her, is no body else wants her." I told the aunt that I hated the idea that this child would grow up feeling unloved. The aunts own daughter was dressed very nice, this child in rags.
-
Families are an odd bunch - when we were discussing homelessness once in my seventh grade class a little girl confided in me that she had an uncle who lived under the bridge but her family had taken in her cousin. I assume they felt obliged to keep the child from living under a bridge but had little problem letting the kid know his dad was not wanted
-
wow
Comment from rtobaygo
Hello:
T thought you might be a teacher..and I was correct. I taught 7th grade World Geography and World Cultures.
I agree with you regarding the blatant commercialism of Christmas and also ask why America has so many homeless children.
My wife teaches third grade and from time to time tells me about the economic plights of her students pass and present.
Back in the day when I was a child, Thanksgiving was the official start of the Christmas season. Unfortunately I have seen Christmas commercials as early as late September regarding holiday way-away-plans.
Here's hoping Christmas is everything you wish it to be.
Take care,
Ray
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
Hello:
T thought you might be a teacher..and I was correct. I taught 7th grade World Geography and World Cultures.
I agree with you regarding the blatant commercialism of Christmas and also ask why America has so many homeless children.
My wife teaches third grade and from time to time tells me about the economic plights of her students pass and present.
Back in the day when I was a child, Thanksgiving was the official start of the Christmas season. Unfortunately I have seen Christmas commercials as early as late September regarding holiday way-away-plans.
Here's hoping Christmas is everything you wish it to be.
Take care,
Ray
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from wordsmatter2me
I like that you ask the question Why?
I believe many children today know of God and why we celebrate the birth of His son. I like that you are reminding many who do not know yet one day they will know of the Love of Jesus Christ. I like that you share your part in making another day that the 1st graders have a toy and a meal to eat even for one day. I like knowing that we have a lot of work to do in the USA to eliminate this issue of homelessness.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
I like that you ask the question Why?
I believe many children today know of God and why we celebrate the birth of His son. I like that you are reminding many who do not know yet one day they will know of the Love of Jesus Christ. I like that you share your part in making another day that the 1st graders have a toy and a meal to eat even for one day. I like knowing that we have a lot of work to do in the USA to eliminate this issue of homelessness.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from barkingdog
Dear barbara,
Things are getting worse, and the lesser among us are suffering. Those without a voice in our government, don't have a lobby to speak for them. They don't vote, so no one cares if they go hungry--so hungry that they can't stay awake to learn.
You have them in the beginning, in first grade when even they don't know how really deep their problems run. Imagine how hard it is for the upper grade teachers, who can't convince students to stay in school because they need to work(doing God know what) to provide for themselves and maybe brothers and sisters.
Innocent lambs--too many are sacrificed and the toll rises.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
Dear barbara,
Things are getting worse, and the lesser among us are suffering. Those without a voice in our government, don't have a lobby to speak for them. They don't vote, so no one cares if they go hungry--so hungry that they can't stay awake to learn.
You have them in the beginning, in first grade when even they don't know how really deep their problems run. Imagine how hard it is for the upper grade teachers, who can't convince students to stay in school because they need to work(doing God know what) to provide for themselves and maybe brothers and sisters.
Innocent lambs--too many are sacrificed and the toll rises.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
Thank you for understanding.
Comment from c_lucas
It's a shame the USA can care for global children, but not their own. I did not see any errors. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Barbara. Charlie
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
|
It's a shame the USA can care for global children, but not their own. I did not see any errors. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Barbara. Charlie
Comment Written 22-Dec-2013
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2013
-
I agree, thank you for understanding.
-
You're welcome, Barbara. Charlie
