Cherie's Random Thoughts

As 42 year old childless woman, I often ponder what I would have said to my child if I had chosen to have a child 15 to 20 years ago. I chose to be responsible in my pursuit of being childless and opted to remain childless. It is a choice that has come with much questioning over the years.  Sadly during the past 15 to 20 years the US has had many acts of terrorism including domestic. 9-11, the Oklahoma Bombing, the Atlanta Bombing, the Boston bombing, and many more.  In addition, the ugly legacy of hate and discrimination has increased during this time period as well.   As parent of a biracial child I would had to have extra concern that they would not only be discriminated because of their color or sex but also were at risk for a premature death due to violence.  If I did have a child today I would tell them the following:  Do not live in fear. Within our fear lives unbridled hate. From hate prejudice and discrimination are born. Do not be a part of the problem...

Since the age of 8 I knew I wanted to help others. Teach, mentor, and care for another soul. As I grew into a young adult I began my career as an educator who CARES deeply about their work and how it impacts those that I come into contact. Twenty years later I have come to the realization that this deep caring comes with a price. The price is you are often worried about others during most seasons.  My current worries include:  Those who feel there is no way out of the "hardness of life".  Those educators who have NO CLUE on what is going on in their students lives.  Those who willfully do not live up to their potential.  Those that allow peer pressure to allow them to engage in unbecoming behaviors.  Those that have forgotten that the ability to overcome is POSSIBLE.  Those that are living with life traumas much too early in their life.  As an educator, I strive to transform my students into human beings who love learning, releas...