After a good night's sleep I've been able to mull over yesterday's lesson with the kids. And I've put my rose-colored glasses back on...because I choose to look through the lens of love. I believe in these kids. Actually, my reasons for believing in them are rather personal (aren't they always?) Three of my biggest reasons are named Jimmy and Mark. The fourth reason is me.

 

My cousin Jimmy wasn't fortunate to grow up in a loving household like I was. And after serving in Vietnam, things just got worse for him, and he got into drugs to numb the pain. The last time I saw him was when I was 16 - he was so proud at having re-tiled the upstairs neighbor's bathroom. I was not impressed, mainly because I was still angry at him for an event that transpired 9 years earlier. By way of apology for the past he gave me a worn fairytale book called East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Probably his prized possession. Years later he was left for dead at the side of a road by his so-called friends. He lay in a coma for months before passing on, around the time that I finally forgave him (late 2002). I still have his book, and he comes to visit me in spirit form. I wish I had been proud of him while he still walked the earth.

 

There are two guys with a vaguely similar story named Mark, one of whom got his life turned around and now lives a drug-free life. The other comes to visit me in spirit form from time to time - He was largely 'misunderstood' as a kid. You can read about him here.

 

The fourth reason is that I'm still alive because enough adults cared about me. You can read about that here. 

 

So if I can make even a small difference in these kids' lives, then it's worth it.