Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tell Me Something Good

For the first time in my teaching career, I was physically attacked by a disturbed student yesterday. He is a foster child and dealing with mental and emotional issues beyond the scope of anything I've encountered.

Students on their way into my class told me a new boy had a rake outside and was trying to hit them with it.  When I asked him for the rake, he spewed obscenties and came after me, swinging for my head and then trying to jab my eyes with it. I'd never seen him before and wasn't even able to use his name as I tried to talk as soothingly as I could despite taking some whacks to the legs with the rake and protecting my face. After a round of me ducking and jumping, he took off, and my main thought was to keep him from getting on the highway.

I pursued in my skirt and heels across a playground and a basketball court as he threw the rake and then his backpack at me before disappearing in a dugout on the baseball field. I turned to pick up the rake and go for help when the approaching principal shouted a warning. I looked back and saw him running after me with some kind of cord or rope; he evidently thinking he could choke me with it from behind. He then tried whipping my legs and face with it, but I held him off with the rake until more help arrived.

Then this morning, we found someone in Iowa had hacked into one of our accounts that hasn't been used in ages and purchased a computer and game system with it. We are in the middle of resolving that today, as well as trying to determine the extent of the identity theft.

To top it off, I have a dentist's appointment today. It will be the first time in 16 years I have been. I don't even want to think about it!

So, this is it. I am closing the door to the bad/ weird/ and unpleasant things. I only want to think about good things now.

I don't want this to be a pity me post because I have more blessings in my life than I can count. But I would love to hear some of your good things. Come on- don't be shy. I'd really love to read them!

78 comments:

  1. I just got out of the shower and it is 11pm. My morning involved feeding the children french toast and cinnamon rolls. Watering the lawn. Playing with the dog. Going for a bike ride with my toddler.
    no troubled kids
    no hackers
    and THANK GOODNESS no dentists. I hate going to the dentist. Thinking of you. You are one tough cookie.

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    1. Your morning sounds like a DREAM! I'm so glad for you- ahhhhh- how wonderful~

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  2. Hi Shelly and sorry for all the unpleasant happenings. I was out with Rocky and Soffie the other day and we had recently had a thunderstorm and there was a clump of leaves attached to a branch that had been blown off and landed in the open field behind our house. Well my little man Rocky walked up to the prize and hiked his little leg up and marked properly. A minute or two later he came back and backed up to it and deposited a load onto it as well. I was standing there laughing and enjoying his personality. Also when he gets ready to eat he will select one piece of dog food and will jump back flinging it across the floor and will paw at it sometimes twirling around with it before finally eating it. Then he goes on to eat the rest normally but that first piece is special.
    Have a wonderful Wednesday and know that I do worry about you my sweet friend so please be careful & try not to get into harms way again. We want you around for a long time.

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    1. Odie: Oh, that made me laugh to think of King Rocky and his and Soffie's domain! How much fun they are, and thank you for sharing this with me.

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  3. Lord, have mercy! I don't know what to write, Shelly. In the 80s Pat Benatar asserted that "Love is a Battlefield." Nowadays school is a battlefield and it disturbs me that one of my best friends was engaged in hand to hand combat.

    All I have for you is a story on our local news that could have ended in tragedy but instead ended happily. It revolves around a little girl's experience yesterday on her first day of school in first grade. The girl was riding the bus home along city streets at the end of the school day. "This is where my house is. This is where I need to get off," the six year old had repeatedly told the driver but the driver ignored her pleas and continued on a full mile past her bus stop, finally stopping and letting the girl off alone... in a pounding thunderstorm... in a rough, seedy part of town. Fortunately, the girl did not encounter one of the many criminals and prostitutes known to frequent that district. Instead, she came upon a good Samaritan who walked with her the mile distance back to her home, making sure she was safely returned to her frantic mother's arms.

    As our dear friend Thisisme would say, Shelly, it's "onward and upward" from here. I sincerely hope so.

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    1. Shady: The story of the Good Samaritan and that little girl made my day. Oh, if only more people would be like that person instead of like the bus driver...

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  4. Oh my goodness! Each of those are bad enough to happen to one person, let alone having all of them. So very sorry. Hoping that as you put these things behind you, there will be better things in your future. I like the happy ending of the story above about the little girl. I also like that you are quick to point out how blessed you are.

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    1. Nonnie: Thank you, my friend. I know tomorrow will be better, because I'm going to absolutely drag the good things out of hiding in it!

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  5. My goodness, what a frightening story, Shelly! I shudder to think what could have happened. It is a blessing that no one was seriously wounded or worse.

    I feel a little guilty writing about something good but a couple of good things have happened recently. Clint and I have visited a new church and like it so far. My sister joined a church Sunday, she had been away for more than a decade, I drove to my hometown to be with her Sunday. One more: The spot near Clint's lip he thought was cancer has totally disappeared! He had seen his GP and had already made an appt with a dermatologist.

    Shelly, I have a dental phobia ... please let us know about your dentist visit. Those are frightening to me too!

    Take care, Shelly!

    Cindy

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    1. Cindy: What wonderful news on both counts! So glad that spot on Clint's lip is gone for good, and it is so very terrific about your sister joining a church. Great things are in store~

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  6. Oh, Shelley, what a banner awful day! So frightening with that young boy and identity theft and a dental appointment on top of that. I can so identify-- especially with the latter. The good news of my day is that there isn't any news, any drama. My husband is at the movies with our next door neighbor and I've been working on my Timmy the Therapy cat proposal as well as giving some thought to the structure of my memoir. Quiet, uninterrupted time to write is a real blessing. We've been having monsoon thunder storms this week. Last night, we were treated to a light show that seemed without end. Today there are rumblings of thunder and occasional showers that have brought temperatures down and there is a breeze with a touch of coolness. I have three cats -- Gus, Hammie and SweetPea -- clustered around the computer. Life is very good, indeed. I sure hope tomorrow is a much, much better day for you!

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    1. Dr. Kathy: I love the picture of Gus, Hammie, and Sweet Pea gathered around the computer with you. What a delight! And I think quiet, with minimal interruptions, is just about a perfect time.

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  7. Shelly - God bless you. Well, I had a lot of fun yesterday learning Oklahoma Gin Rummy. My sister Liz taught me. We played a penny a point and I won 75 cents! I intend to save up for a vacation. :)

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    1. Belle: Thank you, friend. You are .75 richer- that's a good thing!

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  8. Good things. I can do that. Following a weekend in which I was privileged to meet and visit with three of my blog buddies, I went to the specialist today following a month of waiting with some trepidation only to be told, Steady as she goes; nothing to be alarmed about, live your life and continue with annual testing!

    Blessings.

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    1. vanilla: Now that is some wonderful news- so happy for you!

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  9. I just read a book that I had committed to read to help a friend and it didn't look interesting AT ALL! I ended up LOVING it and can't wait for the sequel! How's that for good? :)

    And just to make you smile: The other day my friend told me that her eight year old daughter doesn't like Obama because she had heard on the news that he was mandating. When my friend told her daughter that this meant he was making laws, the daughter said, "Oh! So he doesn't date men??"

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    1. Nancy: That is the best of surprises- to genuinely like a book you weren't expecting to! Care to share the title?

      I laughed so hard at the mandate- oh, how funny!!!

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  10. It's scary story. Good that nothing worse happened, Shelley.

    Good things- well I just came back from a very looong vacation to US! Still tired, jet-lagged and coming down with something- flu maybe.

    Nas

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    1. Nas: Oh, I hope you are not coming down with anything- the only thing you should bring back is good memories. Take care of yourself, my friend~

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  11. I'm just glad that you're OK and you discovered the identity theft. That's bad. My good things? Well yesterday, between my husband and me, we heard from all 5 kids, and EVERYONE is doing well! Not a hitch or a tragedy in the bunch. That was REALLY good news, and just made our day! You know how it is - usually there's one of them that has some little thing going on. Well not yesterday, so we are very happy.

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    1. Karen: I understand perfectly- when all is well with each of the kids, then it's such a contented peace we sleep in!

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  12. Dearest Shelly,
    OMG!!! Thank God you and no other person was hurt. What a scary experience.
    I hope this will be the first and the very last. And another thing; for your dentist appointment, has it really been 16years? That is SO amazing and surprised me. You should thank your mother giving you such a wonderful healthy teeth♬ I hope the treatment went smoothly by now.
    Hacking... it sure is happning,is it! It must be a annoying process to deal with it. My twitter account as hacked several months ago and I thank one of my students for his help. Without him, I wouldn't have known how I should do. (I wasn't using the site and no longer since then)
    Well, the happy news♬♬♬ As you might remember I wrote in my post, our niece will have a baby this Decem. It has been a while since her marriage. I knew how it must have been without a baby for a long while. I AM really happy for her♡♡♡
    My dear friend, I DO hope you will have a better reat of the week♪♪♪

    Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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    1. orchid: Thankfully, the dentist visit went fine- and hopefully I won't wait another 16 years! Yes, I have been blessed with good teeth, and both my parents have them, too.

      What wonderful baby news your family is anticipating! There is nothing like a sweet, cuddly baby to bring out good feelings everywhere. That baby will be greatly loved, I know!

      Thank you, my dear friend Miyako, for your love and good wishes, and I am sending mine to you~

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  13. Well I am going to say a prayer for you tonight. Love, sandie

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  14. Hello Shelley, I have worked in mental health and at times with forensic patients, so I can imagine your trauma. it is good to know a persons name and it does help to de-scalate them. GOOD NEWS, Rays EEG showed no significant brain problems. However, he does have sleep apnea, and that can cause convulsions if not enough O2 gets to the brain. Now I need to convince him for a C-pap machine?? Life is never boring. Much love sent to you today. xx

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    1. Crystal Mary: That is SUCH good news about Ray's EEG- and I will be praying that he opens up to the machine. I'm sure he will feel much better when he's on it.

      And you're right- one of the joys of life is that it is never boring!

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  15. That truly was a dreadful day. The rest of the week will definitely be better.

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  16. Your post brought tears to my eyes, Shelley. My first thought was that it's good you have been getting in top physical form, as it helped you avoid being hurt worse. And you focused the student on yourself which probably deflected harm from others. But also know that it takes time to process such an event, although I'm sure you are aware of that. Take care of yourself.

    Something good? This is Canadian news so you may have missed it - fourteen-year-old Annaliese Carr from Ontario raised over $135,000, for a camp for children with cancer, by swimming across Lake Ontario on the weekend (and became the youngest person ever to do so). What a giving thing to do!

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    1. jenny_o: I got choked up later, thinking about that kid and what he must have seen and experienced in his life that has turned him into what he is now. And yes, I was very glad I could jump and move, and I made sure to tell my trainer a big thank you!

      I was moved by Annaliese's story- gosh, what hope we have for our future with kids like this! Thank you so much for the good wishes~

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  17. I am sure you will have a much much much better days/weeks :)
    Hang on there :)
    xx

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  18. oh wow Shelly what a time you had! So glad that you didn't get seriously hurt about this. Good things here, the weather cooled down and its not muggy; that was a great relief! And a group from our church built a house for a family down in Mexico this past weekend who had lived in tarps before; the family chose pink for the exterior; those who didn't go on the trip contributed to supplies; such a blessing of it all!

    take care of yourself!

    betty

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    1. Betty: Where in Mexico did your group go? We get many church groups headed to Mexico going through our town. I'm so happy for that family- what a life changer that is for them! (And yay for cooler weather...ours will be here in a few months.)

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  19. I am so, so glad you are okay. Whew that must have been scary. But you are right - we all have SO many blessings, don't we?

    I, too, like to look at the good while not forgetting the bad, just putting it in perspective.

    It's the little things for me right now - like a pretty tasty broccoli cheese soup made from leftovers that I had never made before and the family loved it. Made me feel good. :)

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    1. SkippyMom: Gosh, I saw your pic of the broccoli sheese soup and now I want to make some! (I'm trying to comment on your post, but it's not letting me now. I will try again later). Your recipes are always so delicious sounding!

      You are right- it's the little, daily things that give such rewards in life.

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  20. That is horrifying. You are so brave and I'm so glad you didn't get more seriously injured. Really, the dentist is going to be a walk in the park after what happened at school!

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    1. Lydia: The dentist didn't turn out to be at all as bad as I imagined, so I can officially take that off my list of terrible things!

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  21. This is why I love you without having met you.

    OK, Shell-belle, you want to hear good? Here it comes:

    I once went 18 years without seeing a dentist. Outcome? A very small, surface cavity. A little gas, liberal application of my iPod headphones and it was actually an enjoyable experience!

    A man on the bus this morning said, "How ya doin', sweetie?" to me without appearing to want anything in return.

    The Farmers Market on Nicollet is on today, which means that I'm going to buy the ingredients for a mashed eggplant/lime/cilantro concoction that I first had at a Hmong party last year. YUM.

    Pearl

    p.s. Had to look up "grito". :-) Got it on YouTube. Now everyone around me knows what it is! -- and that, too, is a good thing! Hugs and offers of a free lunch from your friend in Minneapolis...

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    1. Pearl: This had me smiling from start to finish! I ended up almost going to sleep in the dentist's chair- piece of cake. I LOOOOOVEEE cilantro, and your concoction sounds really good. You will seriously have to send me the recipe- I would love to try it. Shouting a grito now and then is good for the soul, I think. As for the lunch offer? That would be spectacular, my friend~

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  22. Oh my goodness Shelly satan is working over time on your guys. Glad you are okay and the Lord's providence is over you. I do not do DDS either. Here listening and giving you a safe hug.

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    1. Just Be Real: Thank you, my friend. Actually, the dentist turned out to be not so bad, which I'm very thankful for!

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  23. I read this yesterday and tried to comment but for some reason I couldn't via my ipad...I've had you on my mind today. You are quite the woman to pursue the student after being attacked. Honestly, I would have run for cover - I know I would. I would like to think I would react as you did, but I know I wouldn't. God bless you, Friend...It's sunny and warm and all my little "chicks" are well and accounted for. I count that as GOOD each and every day!

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    1. Sweet Tea: Thank you so much, my friend. And your good news is truly awesome- so much to be thankful for!

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  24. wow! that is too bad about that boy...someone left a message on my blog that those who hurt, hurt...and that sentiment helped me understand bad things...
    my son goes back to college in 3 days...that is really really good news...smiles.
    hang in there..

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    1. Annmarie: My heart hurts thinking about what that boy must have gone through in his life to become what he is. He is truly in my prayers. And congrats on your son- that's always good news!

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  25. Oh, wow. I'm so glad you're okay! I hope the boy gets the help he needs.

    I won't lecture you about not going to the dentist all this time. I'm glad you're going!

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    1. Theresa: I so hope he gets it, too. He's no longer a student here, so I won't have a way to keep up with him.

      And thankfully, my teeth turned out to be in great shape!

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  26. Dear Shelly, all of us who read of your experiences know how terrifying they must have been. So I'll simply say that I'm sorry you had to go through this and I hope the boy finds help.

    Then I'll tell you something funny that happened to me once--just so you can maybe laugh a little: I didn't learn to drive until I was 36. So here I am driving a friend's car on Interstate 94 in Wisconsin. I'm just toodling along through the forests on both sides of the divided highway. The road is curving so gracefully that I begin to plot parabolas. (I'd been a math major in college for two years!)

    I'm plotting those parabolas in my mind--coming up with equations that would represent these lovely curves. I look in the mirror and see a highway patrol car behind me. I think, "I wonder who's in trouble now."

    I keep hurtling down the highway. The police car keeps coming. I keep wondering. And then a sudden thought, "I haven't seen anyone pass me in some time. . . . Oh, maybe the police are after me."

    So I pull over and the policeman approaches--warily--and asks if I know my speed. "No."

    He says, "This is a 70 mile zone and you were driving 85."

    "oh."

    Then he asks me why I was speeding and I say, "Well, I just got dreamy and was plotting parabolas."

    "Are making fun of me?" he asks. I was shocked that he'd think I'd make fun of him.
    I'd given a legitimate reason for speeding: plotting parabolas!

    You should have seen the look on his face. I'll tell you more in a posting one day because this incident didn't end there!

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    1. Dee: Oh, I love the story of speeding and the cop who thought you were mocking him! That is so like something I would do, except I would be thinking of poetry and not parabolas. I can understand why he would be perplexed, since that is beyond what most folks are thinking about~

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  27. Ah love, as much as I adore you--I love your followers too! What fun it has been to read through all of the funny, wonderful goodness here. I'm in awe of your courage and heart, and relieved that your teeth are just fine. Drink in the autumn and hug everyone you love! xo

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    1. Chantel: And a big hug your way, my friend. You spread your special goodness wherever you light~

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  28. My good thing is that I didn't have a dentist appointment today!

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    1. Missed Periods: And that is a REALLY good thing!

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  29. Sounds like a bad week! But some good news? Well ... Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are still split up. We should have some deliciously awkward and uncomfortable interviews and red carpet coverage in the next few months!

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    1. Kellie: Oh, I have been watching that. How very awkward! Wouldn't want to be in her shoes-

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  30. Hi Shelly! I can't believe I missed this post. I just read your comment and jumped over to see if I've missed anything from you, and boy did I ever! I'm so glad you weren't hurt and I hope the boy can get the help he needs to deal with whatever is going on with him.

    Well, I know my post this morning wasn't exactly something good but good things are still always happening. My son's pre-k teachers came over for a home visit last week and he and I are both getting excited for the start of the school year after Labor Day. We've been out purchasing school supplies and I've really enjoyed getting caught up in that whole riga-ma-roll. He's got his Spider-Man backpack all ready to go!

    I hope you have a better, less exciting week at school next week! Thank you so much for your prayers for Jason! :)

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    1. Oh, and I'm glad your teeth are okay! :)

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    2. Jenn: I can sense the excitement in your first day joy! It's so contagious, and he is going to have an amazing year, I already know. You will have to keep us updated on it all, as well as on how Jason is doing.

      And yes, I am praying for that student, too. He has huge wounds on the inside and needs help and healing.

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  31. Shelly - So sorry you had to experience that attack.

    good things to share: it is ten degrees cooler today, the Giants won again last night :), our front landscaping is almost complete, and K. has had a really good week at work (high school teacher). :)

    But most of all, Jesus loves you and me both! Blessings to you.

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    1. Marsha: And that is the best of all- thank you!!!

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    2. And I'm also so very glad K is off to a great start!

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  32. Oh, Shelly, I feel sick to my stomach!!! Prayers coming your way....our computer is down, so no thankful Thursday to cheer you, but my youngest daughter is now 3!!!!! Her birthday was Friday and she brings so much joy to our lives. She blesses all of us, by her laughter, her joy, her cute way she talks now, her kisses and hugs, and the way she plays with my hair, and her beautiful ringlet curls. All week when asked what she wants for her birthday, she'd say, "Cake"

    Pure joy and happiness.

    Simeon is now almost 14 lbs. As of Friday he was 13lbs 12 oz

    He's chubbing right before our eyes!!

    Sending love to you Shelly.

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    1. Jamie: Such wonderful things! Brought a deep smile to my face. Enjoy those moments everso much!

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  33. Hi Shelly, praise to God that you are okay and that something good is coming out of this disturbing and terrifying incident.
    Here's more good to add to the list:
    After years of closing my heart to people because I'm over sensitive and the survivor of mistreatment, assault, harassment, and controlling, dominating people, I want to learn how to be open again. I want to try to keep the doors of my heart open, all the time. I want to stop being afraid to be hurt. I want to stop hiding and start living.
    This weekend I turned a corner in my often troubling relationship and realized that I'm the one who needs to change.
    Every single person has an inner light, and sometimes it gets blocked. I'm praying that the boy can shine his light, that it beams right through him, for the rest of his life.
    May you have peace and be comforted by your family, your friends, your students, your coworkers, by your angels and God.

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    1. Jenny: What heartwarming things you've shared- I'm so happy for you! We can't live life fully until we open all the doors, all the windows, all the shades and blinds...everything in our hearts has to be wide open.

      And thank you for your prayers. They mean the world~

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  34. Oh, I do hope the boy gets some help...

    Riya

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    1. Riya: That is my big prayer for him. He truly needs it!

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  35. That your first thought was to keep him from harm is part of what makes you special. Now, get yourself to the dentist, twice a year, they're so good you can nap through the visit (almost.)

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    1. Kelly: I have learned my lesson about the dentist- no more dilly dallying with it!

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  36. I admire your spirit and your generosity when dealing with this obviously troubled person.

    Good news? Let's see....House is coming together. I am coming together. School has started and I think I may have found some chocolate in the pantry. Life is good!

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    1. Bossy Betty: The chocolate in the pantry is the best surprise of all! And yes, life really is good.

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    1. Come At Me Bro: I've so enjoyed reading everyone's good things~

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  38. Wow! Now that is a tough and scary day. I'm glad you weren't badly hurt.

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    1. Pat: Thank you- it's a day I definitely don't want to repeat~

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