Suicide at 17 leaves the rest of us wondering how could we have helped?

My daughter told me yesterday that one of the girls at her high school had died. I asked her what happened and she said she did not know. Today we found out that the girl had hung herself. Now everyone is left wondering why. there will be crisis counsellors at the school tomorrow. The girl was a senior and she was 12 days away from graduating but now there will be a rose on her chair. I talked to my daughter and just said that our problems are temporal and they will pass but suicide is forever. it is sad to know that so much potential will never be realized and we will never know what she could have achieved. We grieve for the loss to her family but we have to continue to talk to our young people and let them know into every life there will be sadness and disppointment, but we want them to reach out and not internalize their pain. Parents, friends, loved ones take this opportunity to talk to the young people in your life and let them know that you are there for them. Sometimes they simply need someone to listen not provide all the solutions but be that safe place that we all need. Sometimes they are seeking advice and be brave enough to give it. Sometimes we need to speak first and just ask how is it going and be willing to stick around long enough to really get an answer. That will require us to put the phone down and turn off the computer. It is going to require us to be truly present. Suicide at any age is painful, but at 17 it is a loss to the family and to society because we will never know what she could have been.

Jason Collins is no Jackie Robinson

GUEST BLOGGER-CONCERNED DAD
Like Charles Barkley said later we must get to the point where we can talk freely about this. To call homosexuality a sin is the belief of many Christians. It does not mean that we hate the people. But you can not tell coming from the other side. It appears that if you voice your opinion the other side says you hate them or are afraid of them(homophobic.) Most Christians do not hate or fear homosexuals and have no problem living among them. We are just compelled by the word to speak the truth. If a person chooses to not listen that’s on them. I have come to this realization that the homosexual lobby will not stop until everyone says that there lifestyle is not a sin or wrong. This will not happen and it doesn’t mean that we hate them. To compare Jason Collins to Jackie Robinson is an insult. This man has played 12 yrs in the league and has suffered no abuse. The outpouring of love has been straight ridiculous. Jackie suffered abuse from the minor leagues and had to live with a 3 yr non retaliatory clause. This kid has had to deal with nothing. Has he gotten bags of hate mail? Has he been abused on the court because of his sexual choice. (yes choice). The world has decided that homosexuality is the way to go so much that parents are encouraged to not teach their kids that it’s wrong but a viable lifestyle if they so choose to live that way or feel that way. I don’t care who you love or who you sleep with it ain’t my business so please please please quit boring me with it. And stop acting like it’s a big deal to tell the world Its not. If you don’t want the criticism don’t tell people who may not like that lifestyle. You are not changing those minds and you lose the respect of those individuals by trying to do so. LET US RESPECT EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE IRRESPECTIVE OF WHO YOU LOVE/SLEEP WITH.

Condoms being distributed in high schools: I was on HuffLive today discussing it

Click on the link and watch the show: http://huff.lv/139x6y9

Share your thoughts.

Chicago Parents offered $25 gift card if they pick up their kids report card…is this a good thing?

Chicago parents are being offered a Walgreen’s gift card if they attend a parent/teacher conference and pick up their child’s report card. Do you have a problem with this incentive program? Share your thoughts.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/16075147-452/mitchell-should-parents-be-rewarded-to-pick-up-their-kids-grades.html

Do you have a favorite child?

If you had a favorite child would you tell anyone? Read the linked story and share your thoughts.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/favorite-child_b_1912949.html

FYI: Lion King Audition in New York

Candy Corn Oreos, will they be yummy or yucky?

Candy Corn Oreos are coming to a Target near you. I love traditional Oreos and the Golden Oreos, but this is completely different. They will be in the stores on Monday Sept. 10th and we will know if they are yummy or yucky. My question is do you think Oreos have jumped the shark? Share your thoughts.

What would a fool do for a $315 pair of Nikes?

“There’s dumb, and then there’s dumber. The three teens who decided to break into a Houston, Texas mall to steal Air Jordan sneakers arguably fall under the latter category. According to police, three teens cut a hole — yes, a hole — through the roof of Greenspoint Mall to steal 16 pairs of the over-priced, $175 shoes from Foot Action, reports FoxNews.com.” Read the linked story.

http://newsone.com/2032462/teens-steal-air-jordans/?omcamp=sf_N1TW

What’s so bad about a boy who wants to wear a dress?

Camp Variant allows children to explore all facets of their personalities. If a boy wants to wear a dress it is alright. Read the linked article and share your thoughts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/magazine/whats-so-bad-about-a-boy-who-wants-to-wear-a-dress.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Was it necessary for police to handcuff 6 year old?

Six year old is in the principal’s office. She is upset. She is tearing things off the wall. She is throwing furniture. The school can not reach her parents. The school calls the police. The police handcuff her. Should they have handcuffed the child?

http://www.13wmaz.com/rss/article/178448/153/Milledgeville-Police-Handcuff-6-Year-Old-Girl?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wmaz/local+(13WMAZ.com+Local+News)