This is my son, in whom I am well pleased

We spent all morning at court - just finally got in. Our 8 am hearing didn't get heard until 10:45.
The boys were arrested on Wednesday afternoon - and were not released back to thier parents until this afternoon.

What they did was stupid - and dangerous - and humiliating.
What Josh did instead, was merciful. He could have copped an attitude, asked for revenge, or even embelished his story to make himself out to be a victim. But he isn't a victim.

He sat reading 1984 and Lord of the Flies in his white shirt and tie. He gave up time with his other friend to take care of this - his day off spent helping someone who hurt him.

We talked to the prosecutor before the hearing and told her we had wanted the boys to be accountable to the school, and we knew they had to do something about what happened. The judge asked if he wanted to drop the charges. Josh stood up, saying that he thought things had gotten blown out of proportion. That he was upset when it happened, but that he thought 2 days in jail was sufficient. She asked if they were friends, and he looked right at Lavonne and
said yes. If they hadn't been before, this would certainly cement their friendship.

The judge was great - she gave the boys something to think about, including that acting like "bozos" had taken up the valuable time of lots of adults. They will go in front of a disciplinary panel at school. Their debt to Josh is not over, but Lavonne asked to speak and publicly apologized.

What could have been a turning point, pitting families against one another, instead became a chance for us to heal some of this - Josh demonstrated very visably that is takes a bigger man to forgive someone than it does to exact revenge.

Oh Shit

I went to the school this morning. Much to my surprise, the Vice Principal was just as outraged as I was.

I offered to temper justice with mercy, asking that the kids be put before the disciplinary board and suspended. Then I offered to talk to their parents and arrange for the kids to do something in reparation.

We left on amicable terms with the agreement to call when things were settled.

I recieved a call an hour later. The Security/Police officer for their school system took control and charged both boys with simple assault. They were arrested in front of the school and taken to the juvenile detention center.

And the truth is - my heart just breaks. What an incredibly sad situation that three lives are changed by such a stupid action. They planned it - they did it on purposeAnd their poor moms - who are actually good people - I know them, I sat with one of the mothers all through football season - and I hate that this has happened to her.

But I firmly believe that God can take what is evil and use it for good. Maybe this is the wakeup call these kids needed - maybe it will save thier kids or their wives from something bad.

For today, though, I ask you to say a little prayer for Enrique and Lavonne - two boys who made a poor choice - and another for my son Josh, who will have to testify on Friday morning at Juvenile Court.

Never, never, never mess with the cubs

Today on the way home from school, some boys from the football team held down my son and cut his hair, Not by choice, by force. They have been harassing him saying that if he wasn't going to play football next year, that he should not waste the coach's time - that he shoudl quit goign to lift weights( somethign I demanded he do)

He was afraid of them - and even when he called out, the noise on the bus muffled it. Eventually the bus driver found out what was happening and stopped the bus. But not before several chunks of his hair were thrown out the window.

They think they got away with it because no one would tell on them - bullys are like that. I remember that the Ogre would bully me - and each time I called the police, they took his side, so I stopped calling it in.

When I took Josh to the Emergency Room after Dan the Ogre hit him with a garden hose and left marks, the police filed a report - but never any charges. It was frustrating - it was wrong and the police allowed it. Dan was never arrested - never charged - and he got away with it. This whole thing brings up a rash of feelings and fury. Once again someone has hurt him and thinks they can get away with it.

They think they can hurt my son and walk away because they are tough guys

Pardon my language here - but do not fuck with my children after all they have been through and think that I will just let that sit because you are some kind of grade-school super star.

Not only am I taking off work to go visit his principal and demand some suspensions

I will also be visiting their mothers - and unfortunately for those boys, I know who they are.

The Lord demands that vengence be his - but I don't think it is out of line to expect good behavior, reparation and an apology.

Males Included for Warmth

Head over to the Scene - we have baby ducks - and baby roosters ( we think)

How Rich Mullins and my Mom changed my life

After Jake's Dad left and I was a single mom, working in the Psych ICU at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, I felt a little lost. My girl, Lora, had moved on and had her new love, Alison and I spent a bit of time together trying to find someone new but I just was...lost. My job didn't fit anymore and my life didn't fit well anymore. I went to the job fair at the college, and talked to traveling nurses and people from Indian Health Services - far off places and exciting settings for a nurse.

We moved to Logansport, and I took a new job at a little rural hospital, but still I just wasn't *there* yet.

My mom sent me a copy of the video, A Liturgy and a Legacy, about Rich Mullins. He quoted Brennan Manning, the author of the Ragamuffin Gospel and CS Lewis who wrote Mere Christianity. He believed in walking the walk: feed the poor, clothe the naked, visit those in jail, do unto others. At the end of that video, I wanted what he had. There are a lot of faults in a church - it is a hospital for those who are broken, and that is what I have always believed. I go to church because I need the support of every other broken person in there. I go because I have an aptitude for trouble - and without that anchor, my life drifts in the wrong direction. He said he went for all the same reasons.

Rich lived in Saint Michaels, just outside of Fort Defiance New Mexico. He attended the church there, and taught Navajo kids how to love their neighbor - and how music can set them free. He helped elders build hogans for their families. He loved the people around him.

I wanted that - honestly, I still do - the knowledge that what I am doing each day makes a difference.

After Jake had brain surgery - and my child was restored to me - I decided to go. I sent out applications to Indian health Services- from the information I had gathered years before, and I ended up in New mexico. Rich had passed away about two years before that - but his spirit is in his music - and his heart is still in St. Michaels - you can feel the intensity of the Spirit still in that little church.

I read the Ragamuffin Gospel, we played his "Songs" CD over and over - and even now, my kids know the words by heart. Rich loved God, and more than anything else, he wanted people to see that God is an entity, not a church, not an abstract idea - but Someone who very personally has an interest in each one of us.

This isn't the post about what I believe, but what I learned - that is so incredibly valuable - from both my Mom and from Rich Mullins is this ( pardon the poor take on the song)

I believe what I believe is what makes me who I am
I did not make it - no, it is making me.

What I believe, what I have learned about the nature of God and life and living shape who I am. My choices are based on that belief system - which is true for all of us.

Yesterday I was really miffed about my lack of control over my work - and when I came home, my book had arrived. An arrow Pointing Toward Heaven, the devotional biography of Rich Mullins ( a little aside here, I also ordered the Longing for Darkness book and Things my Girlfriend and I argue about) . 50 pages later, I was reminded that it was just what I needed -
that in this world, my greatest joy is to serve others - and through that I become the person I have always wanted to be.

There is nothing more soothing than a kindred spirit - especially when that kinship revolves around faith - and how you see the world. I am sad that he was taken so soon - but so thankful that my mom gave me the video so many years ago.

Panic Attack!!

I got to my desk, finished my work related stuff, then thought I would check on my friends. To my horror, I couldn't get one blog to appear.

Luckily - it was just a server glitch - and now you are all back!!!!

Happy Monday -
it is 60 degrees and we cleared almost 1/4 acre of brush yesterday, making way for the swing I am hanging this week - Good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise.

How phenomenal is it to have rosy sun-burned ( just a little) cheeks in March!

HMMMMM.....

Last night I went to Kroger and bought meat and ice cream related stuff. When I got to the checkout - the Ben & jerry's rang up just fine, but my sugar-free popsicles and sugar-free fudge pops ( you know, the healthier versions of dessert I bought myself) sent up a red flag. The cashier said they had a "limited Quantity" alert. What in the world???? Ben & jerrys, works just fine, maam, but you can't have those diet popsicles, there is a limit.

I am still not sure whether this is a compliment - like dont worry about the diet, you are just fine the way you are ---- or the ultimate insult - you are already fat, just chuck down that Ben and Jerrys and be happy.

Turns out the alert was just a recall, they had passed their expiration - which is also weird because they are FROZEN POPSICLES. Whatever, I had a wee bit of the Dublin mudslide after dinner and apparently that will have to suffice.

Thank Heavens for little Belles

Yesterday I found a goat blog - I know it is way past an addiction now - but the blog is by Silver Belle who is a goat in the Pacific Northwest - who knew she could type with hooves - but who am I to argue. See, I knew there was a secret language and that they all have very distinct personalities - and this blog proves I am only mostly nuts.

If you are not totally appalled by my addiction - check it out: http://goatcentral.blogspot.com

Standing Up

In a day where fathers often back away from the obligations of being a daddy - there are some men who stand up and take responsibility - who wait with bated breath to shower their child with love - to hear that child call him Daddy.

Yesterday, Farmer Chris got the good news that he is back to being an official father - of course he was a daddy all along. Stop by and offer your congratulations.

Happy Ash Wednesday

My friend Tammy sent this by e-mail, so in honor of Ash Wednesday, a little chiding between friends -

Subject: Who was Jesus?
Opinions vary ...Here are several options.

My friend from Baton Rouge, LA says that Jesus was a Cajun:
1. He liked to serve fish to his friends
2. He could make his own wine
3. And he wasn't afraid of water.

My black friend had 3 arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone "brother"
2. He liked Gospel
3. He couldn't get a fair trial.

My Jewish friend had 3 arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father's business.
2. He lived at home until he was 33.
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother was sure he was God.

My Italian friend gave his 3 arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with his hands.
2. He had wine with every meal.
3. He used olive oil.

My California friends had 3 arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut his hair.
2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
3. He started a new religion.

My Irish friend then gave his 3 arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

BUT my LADY friend had most compelling evidence that Jesus was a WOMAN:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was no food.
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it.
3. And even when he was dead, he had to get up because there was more work to do.