The Call

This song speaks to me (uploaded by a 7th grader on 5/26/2008):
REGINA SPEKTOR- THE CALL
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
Till it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Till they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say goodbye...

I am an American....

My husband has accused me of being unpatriotic, and I feel alone in my non-celebration of Osama bin Laden's death.  While I recognize that this was an affirming event for our country, I just can't get excited over someone being killed. True, the world is now minus one more horrible person...maybe that is something for which to be thankful. But as evil and unfeeling as he was, he was a human being (had any of us the misfortune of being born in his position, we might have turned out as he did...), and how are we any different from the terrible people who rejoiced over the deaths we suffered on 9/11 if we are celebrating someone's death at our hands?

I found this quote that someone had posted on a blog that was discussing how to broach this subject with children:

”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”.


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks, MLK, for reminding me that I'm not the only one who feels this way. And thank you for inspiring me to keep sharing light and love with all those whose lives I touch.

Aren't teachers human beings too??

I just discovered that if I have a bad day and make sarcastic (but nonspecific) comments related to my job on my personal blog that don't encourage violence or endanger national security, I just might 1) attract national attention, 2) be the subject of several discussion forums on which people who have never done my job will judge and make sarcastic comments about me, 3) get suspended from my job, but with pay, and 4) cause everyone to lament the state of public education and blame a wide range of people, including me.

Guess I won't be doing that. But Natalie Munroe, a teacher in PA, did, and I bet she wishes now that she'd kept her human feelings and thoughts to herself. Still, I can't help but be a little upset on her behalf. Seeing as how I know my blog gets posted on the Internet and on Facebook and I happen to be friends with students, parents, and colleagues on Facebook who could easily see whatever I write, I am definitely thoughtful about what I publish. HOWEVER, despite how "careful" I am, I know that not everything I say will be considered wonderful and there is always the possibility that someone will be offended/upset by my words. How do I know this? Because I'm a human being who recognizes that people think differently from me. I know that I don't like everything I see and hear. What I hope is that those who disagree with me respect my right to express myself, as I respect their right to disagree with me. I would hope that they wouldn't bring a lynch mob to my door insisting on my punishment, silence, or even worse, demanding that I change my mind because what I think is wrong. This is America. We don't really do that.......anymore........right?

Unfortunately for Ms. Munroe, someone who was reading her blog was offended by her comments. Instead of recognizing that as a human being, Ms. Munroe is more than entitled to her feelings and thoughts, the offended person(s) decided to go the lynch mob route rather than to do what we all have the power to do: stop reading, make a mental note that it was offensive, and move on. People who are so inclined even have the power to offer comments on things they read or send messages to others sharing their opinions. I cannot speak to whether I would've agreed with Ms. Munroe's comments (the "offensive" entries aren't available for me to read), but it doesn't even really matter. Denying her humanity would be denying my own.

Why Everyone Should Want a Cure for Depression

I just read an article that mentioned that there is still a stigma attached to being depressed. It makes me feel brave because I have chosen to be so vocal (to the point that even I sometimes think, "Enough already about how depressed you are! Can we talk/think about something else now??") about my experience with depression- and to share, as openly as appropriate, how difficult this illness can be. Even if it means that people think I'm crazy, or unstable, or whatever it is people think that causes there to be a stigma...I have gained so much from reading about others' ways of coping that I don't dare withhold what I have discovered! (Besides, I am a touch crazy. It's part of my charm!)

I've referred to depression as cancer with no remission- but it's probably more aptly described as being like ADHD. Everybody probably has a touch of it every now and then, whether they realize it or not; everyone knows someone who has it; and even those who have been "officially" diagnosed and who are "properly" medicated still demonstrate symptoms. For these reasons, and many more, what I want for my birthday is a cure for depression.

Imagine it! Though the elimination of depression would end up in people losing their jobs (drug manufacturers, therapists, etc.), it could mean thousands of dollars and hours of energy and effort saved- money, energy, and effort that could go toward other things, like education! No more depression would mean many more people are able to have productive days more often.  It would likely result in fewer divorces and bad decisions as well. The simple fact that it would be the end of the bulk of all suicides is reason enough to find a cure!

Everyone will benefit from no more depression When I blow out my 32 candles this year, its total disappearance will be my wish.