Friday, December 22, 2006
Angels Among Us

During the holidays, I like to find feel-good stories that bring about warm fuzziness and the spirit of giving.  I also like to find real-life people to look up to--heroes per se.  I found 2 people that I am extremely grateful for and who help make me a better person.

The first  hero is a friend of mine, who despite tremendous odds has beaten cancer--one that is prevalent in his family.  To me, he is a Christmas miracle. Although he is continuing to recover and not out of pain yet, he is still here being a father, a brother, a son, an educator, and a friend. May God continue to bless him.

The second and certainly not least is my daughter.  Last Friday she was at a sleep over at a friends house with 5 other girls--3 of which she really didn't know well.  At 3 a.m. in the morning we hear the back door open and there was Jesselyn--she had walked home (yes we talked about that).  Suffice it to say my daughter stood up for what she believes in and left these so-called friends who earlier that day taunted my daughter for not wanting to shoplift, smoke, or pierce her navel.  Instead of commending her for bravery, come Monday, these girls recruited others and formed a circle around my daughter at school where they proceeded to threaten and harass her.  This is where I stepped in.  I cannot fight my daughter's battles for her, but I can and will put a stop when laws are being broken. These immature girls are one step away from being suspended or expelled.  I put the fear of God, the vice principal, or me (whichever is strongest) in them and time will tell if they've grown up. I despise bullies and with the help of her school's administration, law enforcement, and supporting parents, maybe these future female inmates will wise up before it's too late.  So I am extremely please with whom my daughter is becoming.  She's my hero.

Happy Holidays.