Abandonment

So, I am reading this book about how messed up and broken the teens in the USA are and how it stems from this giant issue of abandonment that has swept the nation over the past decade.  The book is called "Hurt" and the author is Chap Clark.  This guy has some great insight into the sub-culture that exists in high schools around the USA, but don't take my word for it.... HURT.

Anyhow, I am about half way through the book and it has been incredibly helpful for me in understanding more about the students I have the honor of working with, as well as how some of my friends have been affected by this cultural abandonment that has impacted the current youth and my peers so fiercely.  Certainly check it out and give it a whirl.  Peace.

-Andres

Life: it happens, but just for a bit.

Hey guys,

I attended a funeral the other day. It was quite likely the most beautiful funeral service I have ever been to. Which might sound strange, but, already at my young age of 23, I have been to more funerals than the average kid. Anyhow, what made the funeral so beautiful was the joy that was so evident in the midst of pain and mourning. A father had passed away unexpectedly and left here a wonderful family that will miss him and obvioulsy love him very deeply. His entire family spoke about the different characteristics of who this man was and what made him so precious. I never knew this man, but after hearing such beautiful words about him, I would have liked to sit down and have a nice rich cup of coffee with him, just to soak in what this guy embodied. I am not going to try to capture with words what was so special about this celebration of His passing into an eternal paradise. There was something there though. There was so much laughter throughout the service. It was a thing of beauty. This man was not perfect, but he shared the belief in his heart and allowed that to shape the conduct of his life. This did not leave any doubt, in those who knew him well, that when he passed into eternity he was brought into eternal salvation. What a beautiful thing. So much raw emotion... expressing joy and sorrow while confronting the mystery of death. It was a bit of a wake up for me. Something I will think about for, I'm sure, years... I wish you could have been there.

-Jreux