And A Little Child Will Lead Them

[juliainkc]

This really touched me and I wish to share it with All ~

One Never Knows ... Many Blessings, InJoy ~



THE 5TH GRADER


As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.


Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.


At the school where Mrs Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.


Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'


His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'


His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'


Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'


By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'


A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.


Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.


Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life


Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.


The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.


They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference'.
 
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
 
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing).

[zensunni7]

Hi Julia,

I read this several years ago, it moved me deeply.

Whenever there is a ' raggedy ' child, there is an untold story there that only the child knows, until they are asked. 
My children were my mightiest teachers, and they still are, always inspiring me to be a better Human Being, not a better father, just a better Human Being. We wear so many hats in life, being the best Human Being makes all the hats fit us like a glove.
They taught me to just be My-Self, regardless of what I was doing.

It is the kids that inspire us to create change within ourselves that prove the most valuable. Too often we attempt to only rescue them, and not see they are there to rescue us.

WithIn Love
Darrell

[tessa]

Hi Julia,

This is so beautiful and as I am writting this i am still crying

Just shows that you should never judge a book by its cover.  When I was young we were quite a poor family in a wealthy area, my parents had moved to a good area so that we could attend a good school.  There were a few children in the school however, who were not alowed to play with me as I was not as nicely dressed as them and my dad worked in a factory as opposed to been a doctor or some other job with some standing in the community, as I child I really couldnt understand this and it hurt terribly.  I must add however that I did have an amazing childhood and eventhough I did not have much friends had 2 brothers and 2 amazing parents with lots of love - i have been very lucky.

My mum has since told me how lonley she was as no-one would befriend her for similar reasons. There was a lady in the village who was very wealthy and she in fact was the only one that was kind to my mother . . . the worst ones were the ones that 'just thought that they were better'.

Now although I know money is not important (my upbringing has taught me that) we are more than comfortable my children attend a good school and and are always well dressed etc But the lessons I learned as a child have stayed with me and I am always friendly to all mothers that I see no matter how rich or poor and Im happy for my children to play with any children that they choose to.  I think it has made me very accepting, I appreciate i sometimes dont have a lot in common with some people but this doesnt change how I treat them.

Judging others is an awful human condition and one that were are all guilty of time to time, stories like this are important to ensure that we realise that!!

Thanks
Tessa

[juliainkc]

Hi Darrell and Tessa ~

Thank you both for sharing your Heartfelt thoughts here.

Our children are our constant reminders to be One Self aren't they?

There are so many untold stories. It's a walk a mile in my shoes kind of living understanding of another.
We really don't always have all the pieces of a picture to make judgements of another.

Throughout the years, I had 'friends' who I found out were making me the main course at dinner in Light of my children and myself. Judging and fixing me. A distracting away from looking at their own lives. They have their own 'lessons' to learn I realized when I found out. A friend I had known for many years said to me, 'you never tell me what to do'. Her favorite statement to me was, 'I am always right.' Hmm... I said, 'the very same 'God' you believe is leading you, is also leading me.' She went silent as I left.

I really do believe this for all.

My children have been my greatest inspirations and now I am growing in my inspiration along with my grandchildren. I am so appreciative that Life gives Life to Life.

Tessa, I am touched by your sharing here. My Heart feels deeply for both you and your mother's experience also. I see the benefit of it by your Loving Heart presence.

Being able to now provide these things for your family is wonderful. You have experienced both sides and definitely seem to have a wonderful balanced view here. I see you as being very accepting towards others.

We've all judged others and hopefully have learned that we may be the only Love that person has ever been shown up till now.

The raggedy child.  I see this child is a part of all of us as well. Those particular 'things' that seem to each one of us, 'out of line' that is calling for us to love and accept within ourself and then extending this love and acceptance to all parts of ourselves in our outer picture.

I have enjoyed you both for sharing here and communing with me, I appreciate you.


InJoy this evening, Love to you and All ~

Julia

[DH]

Great story. 

It's been said many times but is worth repeating:  Our judgment of others says actually says nothing about others and volumes about who we really are.

grace and peace

[juliainkc]

Hi DH ~ 

It's wonderful to see you here again.

I appreciate you joining us at the table and bringing your wise words to share:

Our judgment of others actually says nothing about others and volumes about who we really are.

Love to you Always in Grace and Peace,

Julia

[Freedom]

Has anyone here ever watched the tv show :Frasier" ?

He tries his best , and yet he still judges... even tho this is a funny show, eventually he realises what he does.

Some American tv shows do show understanding. I think that is pretty good.

[zensunni7]

Morning All,

All things considered in the world at the moment, perhaps it is the child that needs to lead the way now.

All my children came to dinner yesterday, with some of the grand kids as well. Full house, great food ' Grand Ma's cooking ' and the football game going as my sons yelled, cheered and swore at the set.
Yet I looked around the rooms, saw them all milling about and wondered, why had they all come today? It was not a planned event as this turnout usually is.
I could smell it-
Angry frustration in the air, fear of the news events, the future. They came '  home ' to feel safe for a bit. There is an energy in home cooked food that nourishes courage and calms the fettered nerves. A statement of love in the form of food that uses love as its main ingredient, the magic herb.
No-one really talked of events unfolding in Washington, Wall street, or elsewhere.
No-one had to, its my desire as " Dad " to know why they flocked here this day.
To show them a smile and a demeanor of confidence, energy of calm command.
Sometimes it is a matter of ' Faith it till I make it '

But as I looked around, I realized I was being lead by them, my love of them and my desire for them to lead happy lives out of the control of the ones that appointed themselves leaders of us all. A life that they may enjoy the fruits of their efforts and walk confidently into the unknown with excitement, not fear.
Now as adults, they were pushing me forward to exemplify the life they know me to believe in, to become the thoughts I express. They were here to see if the road was open to them as well.

Their mother is a Christian Republican - Yay George Bush. Oddly we are divorced.
Her belief for this day is ' things are going to get very ugly - very quickly ' and the end lies around the corner of the next piece of legislation passed.

But I see my children moving ever forward with their dreams and aspirations, My daughter was online doing a test for nursing school, one son talking  of his experiences at broadcasting school, the others of their jobs and girlfriends, and family.
So I see leaders, reminding me to lead my own life as they are doing. As I have always preached to them in word and sometimes deed. I was the one yesterday being led by the children, being strengthened and fed energy of courage and unswerving faith. Home was now, this day, this meal, and this is the core of what life has come to mean to me.
Washington is a mess of their own doing, Wall street is a mess of their own greed,
yet, none here fail to see what is really there, and none are fooled by the words and the bull shit that leaders smell of.
Maybe they just need to go home for a home cooked meal from their grandma.

WithIn Love
Darrell








 

[Freedom]

What a lovely post.
All we need to remember is  Dont worry...
and be happy.
 Love and blessings to the universe
Love and blessings to the whole wide world.
 
Love to you and all. Do not worry,at all.

[HareOm]

zensunni7,

this is good
we must understand not to be-lie-ve in lies

we must understand, not to believe, at all

the road to well being and joy is the process of deconstruction,
deconstruction of everything we have ever been taught
the true teaching is t he transmission of joy
and how can a heart have joy, and laugh and be open
if it spends literally all of its waking time, ruminating upon things
things that are not real
like finances, wall street, the nightly news

news is not news, more like, noose
because it is a persistently focused negative perspective, and transmits anxiety, frustration, desire,
sometimes compassion

how healthy we would be if we turned it off forever, and refused to participate in the drama!

i tell you, as a child, i began a crusade against the mass media that i forgot until a college student,

my parents didn't understand, how terrifying it is to see someone being shot, how terrible it is to watch the news, to hear about all these things

parents are supposed to play with toys, not watch gory movies,
what is wrong ?

do you know how much, parents, this impacts your kids ?

now, i say ,

i say,

open up your minds, and turn it all off, turn it all off and play with children
life is better when we are yelling and dancing and swearing and laughing and being goofy
no need to have a demon in the corner broadcasting doubt and fear and anxiety and lust and desire all day long

kill tv, unless the content is free, and pure, in heart.

a true educator must also deconstruct,
i spent time in my  mom's first grade class
the "problem" children were t he children that knew well enough that what they were learning was not important, and wanted to JUST be themselves, as if being yourself must be "just"-ified to an authority with punishment powers ?

while it is so that i do not find , in fact currently, any 'education' valuable, short of that which parents can do in their own homes, me simply telling the child that he was doing WELL and helping him with his math, giving him love and attention, caused tremendously dramatic improvement
he never finished his work, which was very simple
when i showed him that it WAS very simple, be-CAUSE he was smart, he got it done easily, and it bothered him not

now

one who can get a masters degree and still experience stress, has wasted a huge portion of their lives, and become a solution for those who create problems,
without the presence of QUALITY and LOVE there is no goodness in any action,
this must be understood, that children must be loved, not educated,


I will tell you, children will lead us all, because unless we are in the presence of yogis or partying teenagers / young adults / old adults (the focus being partying!), they are the only ones that seem to know how to TRULY ENJOY LIFE and hence, with the illusions of maya crumbling before some dumbfounded eyes,

there will be nothing to hold onto, except that which is Good, only that which is Good is buoyant, to hold onto a sinking ship called commerce ? no.

Children will indeed save the world, and if a great Indigo child fully omniscient and carrying t he Christ energies were to rise up and telepath and empath assurance and peace to us all one day, she would be our next president surely, in Heaven.

what we LEARN is how to dehumanize...  diamonds in the rough there are, glorious teachers and loving souls, yes,

tell you the best thing you can do, since schools can cause so much suffering, make peers turn on each other, make people violent, suicidal, depressed, medicated,
is to take a class where everyone sits and loves each other and communicates in a peaceful atmosphere,
forget the lesson plan, THAT IS
how better we would be, if we were taught to get the stress mechanism out of us for good,
one of my favorite teachers treated us like adults,
Mrs. Neese,
I loved her greatly for that
because I used to love learning until being smart made you a target from all those who weren't.
and until I realized that you can make near straight As, by being lazy
and so, then, this was the first class where I truly felt respected AND lo, I was in the presence of , even, people I FEARED
and yet, i was respected by them, and they m e, and we all regained communication
simply because we were treated like adults
and allowed to have intelligence but
mainly because she was a conduit of true peace and clarity
blind leading the blind is a leaning tower of pisa made of toothpicks.....glorified as the most sturdy structure known to man, the feature of the nightly news reels.

listen with ears, deconstruct
un-educate
teach peace