Sometimes I feel like I live in a bubble. It is an isolated and protective place, and it’s like no real harm could ever happen to me. It’s not that I don’t have my guard up, but my life is really pretty normal and is surrounded by basically other normal people over all.
That is why it surprises me so much when I talk to young people and they confide in me about some of the craziness they have to deal with in their lives. I found out yesterday that three of my students have relatives in jail. Woh….this is big stuff for a young person to deal with. I can’t even imagine what they would feel like. I’ve never known anyone in my whole life who was in jail, and my students are way too young to have to go through it.
The told me their relatives were in the slammer for theft, battery, and one girl even swore that her relative was 100% innocent. He was wrongfully accused even though this is his second time in jail. At least, this is the story from her point of view.
I guess I am happy in my bubble, but boy—it leaves me so unsettled and when I think about the kids I work with. They deserve a bubble, too, and it is for no other reason but luck of the draw that I have a bubble and they don’t.
I am feeling blessed today and feeling so deeply discouraged for them at the same time. I guess the best thing I can do is give them an hour of musical joy once a week and boost them up with as much confidence as I can.
My song of the day is by The Killers. ”Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” is the last song in a 3-song murder trilogy. The other two songs are “Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf” and “Midnight Show.” In this song, a man is being questioned by police about the murder of “Jenny.” He swears he is innocent, which reminded me so much of the student in my class refusing to think that her relative could ever be guilty. The song is great, so click HERE to listen to it and watch the Killers perform it live. Pray for my very innocent students and other kids just like them that they are able to get through the tough issues in their lives. They deserve so much better.