Rachel's Challenge

What an emotional day today. My school had a "Rachel's Challenge Day." The faculty and staff had been working towards this day for quite sometime and I had been very anxious for its arrival.

For quick background info, Rachel Scott was the first victim in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. After her death, her parents discovered journals, papers, and other items of Rachel's that expressed her belief in compassion changing the world. Her family has taken the tragedy of Columbine and created a school program to "start a chain reaction" of kindness and compassion, in honor of Rachel.

For only a short hour, I listened to an eye-opening, inspirational presentation given by a family friend of the Scott's. It was hard not to completely breakdown into a sob. I held back as much as I could (I blame this on the whole mom thing).

What amazes me more, though, are those students who are the complete opposite message that they are trying to spread. I do my best to let things roll off my shoulders with teenagers, but when a student makes fun of a program that makes such an impact and has such a powerful message really angers me. This student opted out of coming to school during the time classes were going to the assembly, and yet felt the right and need to come bash the entire day and message. As the movie, "Front of the Class," portrays, education is to eliminate ignorance. Needless to say, this person is ignorant, and my patience is running short.

So, I took a run this afternoon to clear my mind and run out my frustrations. I will continue to accept and work with Rachel's Challenge. It's hard to put into words the impact the presentation made on me.

On a lighter note, Miss Caroline is so close to walking! Anytime we set her down, she takes off, as long as you're holding her hands! She will walk along furniture, and has taken a couple of steps, but won't attempt much more on her own. Here are some recent pictures of her.