Valuing People, written April 9, 2010
As a special education teacher, I have a personal philosophy
that all individuals have a purpose in life. I believe that all individuals
have good qualities--gifts, if you will. I don't like it when children,
especially, are judged by others because of stereotypes or ignorance. However,
my foundational belief system has been shook with the death of my Lauren.
I am ashamed to say that I have caught myself looking at
people in public--wondering why their lives are more valuable than Lauren's. I
recognize that this is "stinkin thinkin," but these thoughts cross my
mind.
I have tried to raise my daughters to be compassionate
people. Lauren volunteered at Special Olympics and the Texas Statewide Youth
Leadership Forum--two events that are geared toward individuals with
disabilities. Lauren also would visit my classroom when she was a student at
Sam Rayburn. She had no "fear" of individuals with disabilities. I
was so proud that she gravitated towards other kids who had differences or who
were siblings of children with disabilities.
I don't understand why she is not still here. I know that I
should be happy that she is in Heaven, but how can I be happy when I hurt so
much?
Lauren was a better person than me. I am not idealizing her,
either. She accepted people for who they were and treated them like they were
worthy (because they were). I tried to teach her to be like that, but I have not
always been the best example. I'd be a liar if I said that I don't have any
prejudices.
Lauren's Kindness, written April 24, 2010
Lauren brought so much joy to our family. It also seems that
she brought joy to a lot of her peers. We didn't know every detail of her life
with her friends--but that is a normal part of growing up. I'm going to list
some of the unsolicited acts of kindness that she did throughout her life.
- Donated her hair to Locks of Love
- Made sweets for her dad and sister
- Made meals for her family
- Planned the Purple Purpose
- Cleaned the house
- Provided advice about anything that Shelby or I needed
- Asked her neighbor if she needed help in the flower bed
- Gave inspirational notes to teachers and friends
- Took the initiative when things needed to done
- Shared her possessions with her sister
- Freely spent her own money on her sister
- Made a quilt for a man with pancreatic cancer
- Brought cookies to friends
- Volunteered to help individuals with disabilities at the Special Olympics and the Texas Statewide Youth Leadership Forum
- Took care of her sister--including taking her and a friend to the park on the day of the accident
If you know of other acts of kindness that she did, please
add comments to this entry.
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