Today a couple of the girls hanging out with us told me a few of the things that have been said to them by the so called “cool kids”. One girl I talked to (I’ll call her ‘Anna’..an adorable, friendly little 6th grader, (yes, Maywood now accomodates 6th-8th grade) told me that she has often been told to “just go drown yourself already.” (Her last name happens to be Drown; I guess whoever says this thinks they are being terribly clever ) She also pointed out a 7th grader (who is physically MUCH bigger than she is, and is one of the “cool kids,” that semi-threatens to beat her up by slapping her fist into her palm when she sees her.) I heard this same 7th grader tell ‘Anna’ to shut up..and I got on her for it..but of course I can’t always be there. I’m just thinking, how can kids be so cruel?? I mean, this little 6th grader talked about these absolutely unacceptable comments and actions as if they were commonplace in her young life.  She is the one who should be considered “cool”..she’s the one that was interested in my special needs students, and made my day better with her friendly demeanor. Plus, as a side note..and I’m certainly not implying that looks are all important, but this little gal that is so harshly picked apart is going to be a beauty..already is (I can see her being the slightly gawky, skinny teenager who grows into her looks and gets jobs walking down high fashion runways for big bucks..she just has really beautiful, symmetrical, dainty features.) I’m rooting for her to show up all the punks that are making her life so miserable right now! Oh YEAH! lol)

I also talked quite a bit with another girl; I’ll refer to her as ‘Jenny’, who is constantly picked on. She told me some of the things that have been said to her..just breaks my heart. She was asked “What size is that shirt you’re wearing?” when she wore a cool tie dye shirt to school, and the antagonizer went on to say, “probably like 8XXX right?”  She’s a little on the larger size (hardly, really).. I guess if you’re not a size 1-5, you’re a target too.  She also described a picture one of the ‘hip’ girls drew that was supposed to be Jenny getting her faced caved in.. I mean, what the heck?!

It gets to me all the more because I was one of those kids that got picked on..I was never accepted into the ‘in crowd’, so I know how traumatizing this stuff is…I’ve never forgotten certain incidents of verbal humiliation from my own 7th grade school year (having the most popular guy in school call me out in front of his crowd and make fun of me publicly while his friends just watched.)  But, even I was never threatened physically in any way, like these kids are. It seems that things have gotten worse.

It almost feels like I’ve gone back in time in some ways…here I am back at Maywood School, sitting with the “uncool” (but actually the very nicest) kids.  However, I’m seeing that I didn’t even have it all that bad, (bullying-wise) and the nice thing for me is that I’m no longer getting picked on because the kids see me as a “teacher”.  I’m starting to think that maybe my time there does have a deeper point..I’m doing my best to encourage the kids who face the bullying on a daily basis..sharing my experiences with them, and trying to get across to them that it WILL get better, and that they are above this type of behavior and this petty social pecking order. Those kids will eventually mature, and in 10-20 years or so, they may even connect as friends with them (although I know it’s pretty hard for them to be encouraged by something that may come about so far ahead in the future..but I hope it might offer a glimmer of hope at least.) 

The so called “uncool” kids talk to me and make work more fun, and they care about and help with the special needs kids I work with.  They are tender hearted and smart.  These current middle school “uncool kids” are, in my book, the most mature and the nicest, coolest kids at school.

Tracy

Check me out!   I’m offering lots of original art pendant options for sale, and I occasionally list clothing items :)

I also have a facebook page, so if you’re interested in following my creative pursuits, please join me =D

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Wardrobe-Wanderer/129137043793065

xo

Tracy

http://whimsicalwardrobe.wordpress.com/

just a quick post–hope to jump back into attempting etsy again soon!

Here’s what is said of Andriy:

Boy, Born November 24, 2005
Andriy is an active, happy little boy with blonde hair and blue eyes.   He is nearing 4 years old and needs a family quickly!   He was born prematurely, blind as a result.  He does seem to have some vision in his right eye, but his left has a full cataract.   He is very active, able to walk and get around, sociable with his friends and caregivers.   He is mildly cognitively delayed due to his prematurity, but has so much potential in a loving family!

It breaks my heart that Andriy and other children in these orphanages stand the chance of being institutionalized for life if they’re not adopted by a certain age, just because they were born with a disability    These countries seem to want to just hide them away, and they’re denied a life of opportunity and hope.  It’s so unfair!

Here’s the website that I can’t seem to stay away from:

http://www.reecesrainbow.com/otherangels.htm

Please remember these little ones….there are so many of them waiting.  Pray for them, and if you feel led, you can donate on the website toward their individual adoption expenses.  So many more children could be rescued if more financial help were available for overseas adoption. 

I so wish I were rich enough to buy a big house and bring home several!  I hope that since God seems to have put these children on my heart, maybe one day He’ll open up a way.

The chain and bail are silver in color (the lighting makes them look sort of gold for some reason)

I hope to offer these for sale eventually–for the moment I’m making them as Christmas gifts–perfect for Christmas on a tight budget

“Pigtailed Bandit”

I know I’m on a kick, but I think the bandit masks are so cute and cool!  I even ordered one for myself, lol.  Watch for another photo shoot with my little sis including one, lol

This is Wendy, a little girl that is waiting for her “forever family” in an orphanage in the Ukraine. I find myself so drawn to her, and wish I were rich so I could just go and get her and bring her home. Wendy has some significant special needs, and faces an institution soon, where she may no longer have the option of being adopted. This breaks my heart. Wendy is listed on this website: Reece’s Rainbow   , in the ‘Other Angels’ category.  This site allows people to view waiting children and to donate toward their individual adoption fund accounts…as overseas adoption runs into alot of expense and holds a lot of potential parents back.   If I came into money somehow, or could figure out a way to bring in a better income, then adopting Wendy or another of these children would be one of the very first things I would seek to do. 

This is what is said about Wendy:

Wendy is a beautiful girl with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes.    She was born quite premature  (not sure which gestational week, but it is listed as “4th stage”).  She has CP and is completely blind, with congenital cataracts in both eyes, optic sub-atrophy, and microcephaly.

Despite all of these odds stacked against her, she is an orphanage favorite and is well loved.  She will really blossom in a loving family, and learning to use her other senses will open up the world around her.
 
Wendy is already 3 1/2 now, and is facing the institution soon.  She needs a family right away!

_________________________________________________________

I think that Wendy would be such a blessing to have as my own.  I think I’d learn a lot about new ways to view the world….people without sight are so in tune to things that sighted people overlook.   I have learned how to use braille, and find it amazing.  I’d love to help to open up Wendy’s world, and I know she’d open up mine.

If you find it in your heart to do so, please pray for Wendy and all of these little ones, and pass the word about them along to others.  They are all so precious and deserve so much more out of life.

I’d like to have this printed as a Christmas card, but I just received a price quote from a printer’s shop and it’s quite expensive.   I will need to shop around.  If anyone knows of a good printing company with reasonable rates, please let me know!     Thanks!