Feeling down? Need a little nudge to stay in the game?

[senseandsensibility]

These are difficult times, DUers, and I'm not going to try to B.S. you with some feel good post, even if it is Thanksgiving. However, I hope you will read this because I really feel that if you do, you will be energized for the fight ahead.

I teach very young elementary aged children in a poor, almost 100% minority public school district. Virtually all of my children have only been speaking English for one or two years, and come from homes at or below the poverty level. Yet they are expected to achieve on a par with those from all English speaking, affluent districts. Their optimism and sweetness are what keeps me sane these days.

Two days ago, they wrote paragraphs about what they were thankful for. Almost all of them wrote about their parents and the struggles they go through to provide food and shelter for their families. For their second paragraph, they wrote about how thankful they were for their school, and their teacher (me!).:P They listed the books, the desks and the white board (funny!) as things they were thankful for, as well as the opportunity to learn English. I misted up as they read their essays to the class.

Please remember that these are seven and eight year old children who do not speak English as a native language. They are writing in full, well developed paragraphs. They are full of optimism, and think that they are the luckiest people alive.

THESE CHILDREN ARE THE REASON WE CAN'T GIVE UP!!! Let's find strength through their optimism, and let's remember that they're counting on us. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, everybody!!! :toast:

[FloridaPat]

1. Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Thanks, nice story NT

NT

[renate]

3. that's so sweet!

And inspiring!
Thank you for reminding us how lucky most of us still are, despite the way things are on the national and global levels--these children are so grateful for things many of us take for granted.

[senseandsensibility]

7. Exactly.

I feel a personal responsibility not to let them down. They really keep me grounded.:)

[Stinky The Clown]

4. And God said ... "Bless the little children"

Thanks for sharing.

(And ignore my sig line. I'm not really **that** mean.) :hi:

[senseandsensibility]

8. Hey, we know

you're a big softie!:) Most liberals are, and it's a blessing and a curse.

[shesemsmom]

5. Awesome!!!

You deserve a BIG PAT on the back:yourock:

[asjr]

6. Those little children will lead.

[hlthe2b]

9. Thank you... I needed that and I'm sure many others do as well.

[leftofthedial]

10. I love kids

It's such a shame that they turn into us.

[senseandsensibility]

11. LOL

Ain't that the truth?

[leftofthedial]

12. that's a great quote

in your sig line.

[senseandsensibility]

13. Thanks

I like yours too!:)

[AuntiBush]

14. RE: They surely speak better then BUSH!

Thanks for that "nudge" to stay in the game... I am depressed myself over this election, and after reading your post it reminded me that it's not about "me" but about the future generations. Needed that nudge.

[senseandsensibility]

15. LOL

You're right! God, that's funny!

[senseandsensibility]

16. Thought some others might

enjoy this, or at least get a jolt of energy!!!:)

[meganmonkey]

17. Indeed! Thanks for posting this!

I've been off DU for a couple days until about an hour ago and this is the first positive thing I've read!

Thanks again!

:hug:

[senseandsensibility]

18. Glad you liked it!!

:-) We've got to work to find the bright side these days, don't we?