Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal moments. Sometimes these moments have immediate impact. Other times, they are slow to manifest and reveal their importance. But if you listen closely to the soft whispers of life, they will guide you on an unexpected journey filled with beauty, understanding and fulfillment. One such moment occurred for me about eight years ago.
On this particular day, I was helping my mom redo her bedroom. We rearranged the furniture, cleaned, polished and changed the curtains and bedding. Then out came the new floral arrangements, potpourri and matching candles. Proudly, we stepped back to admire our work. That's when Mom decided we needed a little atmosphere and she lit the candles.
Evidently, there was a residue of cleaning solution on her hands, because the moment she flicked the lighter, flames burst in the air. Large blisters instantly formed on her hands and she began to shake. As the tears rolled down her face, she looked up at me and whispered, "The children."
Those were her first words, not a cry, not a scream, not a curse ? "the children". I panicked. I though she was in shock. I hurried her into the bathroom to tend to her wounds but the blisters were so large she couldn't move her fingers. I realized I would have to take her to the doctor; I was also concerned about her state of mind. Her response seemed so strange. "Mom, what do you mean, the children?" I asked.
She looked up at me with the sweetest, most sympathetic tear-filled eyes I had ever seen. "The poor children who get burnt." Then she continued to explain, "I saw it on Oprah. If this is painful for me, how much pain would a child be in? I feel so sorry for them?what they must go through."
That was her answer. My mom had second and third degree burns, her hands were swollen, blistered and shaking, but her tears were for the children. Children she saw on Oprah. My thoughts were less pure. At that moment, I didn't care about anyone but her.
Four years ago this October, I lost my mom to cancer. True to her nature, she never complained during her illness. Not once. Even in her suffering, she taught me valuable lessons. One of these lessons came when we were in her hospital room waiting for test results. The doctor finally arrived, flew into the room, delivered his devastating news and then abruptly left.
I was shocked, hurt and angry all at the same time. I turned to my mother and said, "I hate him." She looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said, "That's not nice. He was just doing his job. Can you imagine how hard it must be for him to have to tell his patients bad news like that?"
Oh, Mom, you certainly were something.
In the years since I lost my mom, things have changed in many ways. There are sorrows and bittersweet longings, but her gentle lessons continue to touch my life and guide me.
Mom would be proud to know that my husband John and I recently published our first children's book. Although we originally set out to write an entertaining story about a boy with school troubles, I soon discovered that John was the victim of a school bully. He had buried the hurt and humiliation deep inside, but as we stepped further into the writing process, the impact of his experience was evident.
My mother's lessons taught me to listen closely to the soft whispers of life. This perspective helped me to realize that a message emerged from our collaboration, beyond the pages of our book. This knowledge changed the direction of our lives.
Our children's book became the basis for an anti-bullying program. The program, filled with stories, songs and practical advice, teaches children about the consequences of bullying and helps to provide a safe and healthy learning environment.
Today, as John and I speak at schools and community events, I pray that our pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal moments serve to help the children. Because now, I understand.
AWARENESS
Necks crane as innocent eyes follow my every move
Silent, enthralled children,
A captive audience
In the wake of their hushed response,
I hear the echo of my own words.
Anticipation looms
Awaiting an answer
A solution, an explanation,
I cannot provide.
I have let them down
For I can only share my story,
Not repair the social injustice that has befallen them.
They are victims,
As once was I
With only my experience to offer,
I silently pray to ease their anguish,
Whilst knowing I cannot.
About The Author
Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON'S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy's magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children's rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com
http://www.joyfulproductions.com
cleaning help near Mundelein ..Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
Just two days ago, another 15-year old child was added... Read More
Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Having a babysitter take care of your kids is sometimes... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
Many families do not want to believe their child is... Read More
After giving up my profession to become a wife, a... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
Parenting |