YOU are your own worst enemy

Boston Tragedy

Since the tragic event at the Boston Marathon I can’t help but think of my own family. How many times have we been at the finish line when my husband has competed in a race? How many times have my kids stood there innocently cheering Daddy on?

When I learned that one of the 3 people who died, as a result of the bombs, was an 8 year old boy, just one year older than my son, the whole situation hit me on a much more person level. An innocent child died, while likely waiting for a friend or family member to cross that finish line. It should have been a joyous event and instead it became a horrific tragedy.

How can we have any piece of mind anymore in taking our children anywhere? They aren’t safe at school, in movie theatres and now at marathons. How can we have any piece of mind when there are people out there who will commit these unthinkable crimes?

I want to find the light in the darkness and focus on the incredible people who have come forward and helped in whatever way they could following this tragedy...but I find myself feeling very concerned for the future of the world my children live in. I find myself wondering what kind of person packs nails and random shrapnel into pressure cookers , with the obvious intent of killing innocent people, and then sets them off at the Boston Marathon. What went so wrong in their lives that they chose the dark side and not life?

My thoughts and prayers are with Boston, the families of the 3 people who passed away, the other 170 or more people who were injured and also all of the physically unharmed, but mentally scarred people who were present at the marathon. This event won’t soon be forgotten.

Posters Around HRM Supporting The Boys that Raped Rehtaeh Parsons

At 7:40am this morning, Rehtaeh Parson’s family found posters around their neighbourhood supporting the boys who allegedly raped her, claiming that there are two sides to every story. These signs were strategically placed around Cole Harbour, downtown Halifax and most upsettingly, up and down the Parson’s street. Her family has suffered enough and will continue to grieve this terrible loss as long as they live. Who would do this to them?! Her little sisters saw these signs!

Yes, there are most certainly two sides to every story, but in this particular case, the boys photographed the act and then circulated the photos on the internet and then bragged to their schoolmates. So despite the fact that there may be multiple versions of the events of that night in 2011, there is absolutely no question that four boys did something terrible to a 15 year old girl and robbed her of her youth and ultimately her life. It wasn’t only the rape that plagued Rehtaeh, but the taunting she endured right up until she took her own life last week.

This case, and that of Audrie Pott (a sadly similar case in California), make me seriously question the minds of teenage boys. Do they have no conscious or remorse for their actions? Have they not been taught right from wrong? That no means no? Do they even care that their actions resulted in the death of innocents?

 I feel outraged about every aspect of these cases! From the moment of the rape, to the spreading of the photos, the taunting, the hopeless teens who took their own lives and then the poorly handled investigations...it’s all devastating. The “system” is so flawed.

As a parent of future teenagers, I will do everything in my power to make sure my kids are raised to know better and to respect the life they have been given. We are only in this world for so long. Lets not waste our time here and let us start to make some positive changes. I am tired of all the misery!

I am hoping and praying that our justice system does not fail Rehtaeh and her family and that the boys responsible for this are dealt with. Those boys cannot be left to think that have gotten away with this. It’s as if they’ve gotten away with murder. My heart aches for the Parson’s as they grieve the loss of their 17 year old daughter and have to additionally deal with the horrible people responsible for posting the signs this morning. Thinking of you Parson’s family. I wish things were very, very different.

The Scary World Our Children Live In

We live in a world where it is necessary for even elementary schools to practice “lockdown” drills in school. Using my son’s description, a lockdown drill is “when we practiced hiding in class and being really quiet, in case a bad man ever comes to our school.” How incredibly sad that a 6 year old child even needs to have that thought, let alone practice a drill to prepare for it. Of course I want my kids prepared, but it still breaks my heart.

Not only do our kids have to be aware of “bad men”, but they also have to deal with bullying, from their very own peers, on a daily basis. Where did we go so wrong as a society that bullying seems to be getting worse rather than better? Bullying starts as early as preschool, or daycare. I had naively thought for years that this sort of behaviour only began in middle school. Was I ever wrong.

We need to raise, strong and confident children, kids who respect each other and themselves, kids who know right from wrong. We need to treat them how we want them to treat others. We need to set good examples for them, from day 1 of their lives, so that they grow into kids who stand against bullying, not become a bully.

We need to teach our kids to be accepting and understanding, not just “tolerant”. I don’t want my kids being taught that we simply tolerate differences, I want them to embrace them. They need to know that even though people appear different on the outside that we are all the same on the inside.

We need to teach our boys, from a very young age, to respect girls. We need to teach them that no means no. We need to teach them to not fall into the whole “mob mentality” and how to think for themselves. Could Rehtaeh Parson’s life have  been spared if this lesson had been instilled? Maybe she wouldn’t have been raped by 4 teenage boys if they had a greater respect for women and also a better understanding of their actions.

We need to teach our girls how to defend themselves, protect themselves and stand-up for themselves. We need to educate them about what potential threats are out there and hope to hell that if they are ever faced with a really horrible situation that we have prepared them enough to save themselves.

Our kids need to be able to talk to us. We need to be approachable. If they are in trouble, they need to feel confident that they can come to us...no matter how difficult a situation. We need to be involved in our kids lives and know where they are and who they are spending their time with.

The world is becoming a very scary place, but it’s not too late to change the course we’re on. Change can start with one person, one class, one community. Educate your kids. Give them all of the foundation you can before they are put into the world to face difficult situations on their own. Send them out there knowing you’ve done all that you can. Help make sure not another single child commits suicide because they simply cannot live through another moment of bullying. Help end the heartache.

Hundreds of People Show Up to Support Santa’s Gift Shop

Hundreds of People Show Up to Support Santa’s Gift Shop

This past Saturday, the 1^st Annual Santa’s Gift Shop raised $1879.45 for Riverview Pro Kids, as the result of a tremendous turn-out and incredible community support.

After years of hosting a Santa Mart for kids, to purchase Christmas gifts from a selection of donated items, the YMCA had to cancel their event due to lack of donations. They received less than half as much stuff as they had in previous years and roughly half of what they did receive wasn’t in adequate condition to include in the sale. When it was cancelled, my children were very disappointed, as this would have been our 3rd year attending their event. So, with simply 9 days to make a miracle happen, I took it upon myself to plan Santa’s Gift Shop.

The support I received from the community was above and beyond anything I could have hoped for. Every single business I approached, with one exception, was extremely supportive and excited to be involved. Most things that I gathered from businesses became part of the silent auction and raffle, which only came into fruition after the donations far exceeded my hopes.

Then came the donations from individuals. On Thursday and Friday of last week, we accepted donations at the Chocolate River Station. Thursday, at 1pm, we opened the doors and had a steady stream of people stop in for 2 hours straight. The donations ranged from new to gently used and included things like mugs, ornaments, jewelry, gift baskets, toys and so much more.  People even donated entire collections of things like porcelain dolls, etc. On Friday, we had a similar turnout over a 2 hour period. Literally thousands of items were donated and less than one garbage bag of things were un-sellable. It took a team of 12 people roughly 11 hours to sort through all of the amazing items.

With every item donated, came words of encouragement and also stories of how certain items had come into these people’s lives. One woman hand written a special note, explaining the story of a hand-woven tray that she and her husband had purchased in Africa years ago during their travels. It was all so touching.

Saturday morning at 7am, many of the volunteers arrived to help with the set up and by 9:30am, there was a full line-up of eager children and their parents waiting to come in and take part in the event. Once inside, the kids were each assigned a personal shopper to help choose their gifts and the parents were ushered over to the waiting area with music, refreshments and a small shopping area designated just for them. Once the kids selected their gifts, they headed over to gift wrap. The smiles on their faces, the sense of accomplishment and the fact that they had very important secrets to keep, made all the hard work worthwhile. There wasn’t an unhappy face in the crowd. The best part is still to come-the look on their faces when their families open their special gifts Christmas morning.

I have every intention on holding the 2^nd Annual Santa’s Gift Shop next year in Riverview. I’ve already had people approach me who would like to be a part of such a worthy event and cause. Thank you to every single person and every business in the community that helped make Santa’s Gift Shop such a wonderful success, both for the children and for Riverview Pro Kids. We were also able to contribute many excellent items to the Salvation Army.

Stay tuned for next year and Happy Holidays!

Santa's Gift Shop-Letter to the Editor

After years of hosting a Santa Mart for kids, to purchase Christmas gifts from a selection of donated items, the YMCA has had to cancel their event due to lack of donations. They received less than half as much stuff as they had in previous years and roughly half of what they did receive wasn’t in adequate condition to include in the sale. This event, to my knowledge, is not advertised and was simply donated to and attended by those who had heard of it through the grape vine. Its’ success was 100% dependant on donations of household items and of people’s time.

Having children able to purchase gifts for their family, for very minimal expense, and have their purchases all wrapped up for Christmas, gives a child a great sense of pride and accomplishment. I know my kids looked forward to this event every holiday season and were very disappointed to learn that it had been cancelled.

So, instead of sitting around sulking, I have organized Riverview’s 1^st Annual Santa Gift Shop, to be held December 15^thfrom 10am-2pm at the Chocolate River Station. To make this event a success, donations are essential. Items such as household goods, golf balls, jewelry, books, puzzles and gift wrap, in new and gently used condition can be dropped off at the Chocolate River Station on Thursday December 13^th from 1pm-3pm or Friday December 14^th from 4pm to 6pm. All proceeds from the sale will go to Riverview P.R.O. Kids and remaining items will be donated to the Salvation Army.

If you don’t have any items to contribute, we are also looking for gift wrappers, personal shoppers and a musical guest(s) to contribute to the festive atmosphere.

I am confident that my family isn’t the only one disappointed about the YMCA. So lets come together and make this event something special! The look on your child’s face when they pass you the gift they shopped for themselves is something you won’t ever forget.

Santa's Gift Shop

Riverview’s 1st Annual

Santa’s Gift Shop

Chocolate River Station

December 15th

10am-2pm

 

Come bring your children to Santa’s Gift Shop and let them enjoy doing their very own Christmas shopping. Gift wrapping is included! Items range from 50¢ to $2.

Items to bring: pre-labelled gift tags, small change and reusable bags to carry their gifts home.

Donations and volunteers needed! Donations may be dropped off at the Chocolate River Station lobby on Thursday, December 13th between 1pm and 3pm, as well as Friday, December 14th between 4pm and 6pm. Donations may be made outside of these times by calling 382-0052 or emailing jacqibu@hotmail.com

 

Suggested donations: new and used household items, golf balls, jewelry, games, gift wrap, etc. No food items please.

 

Proceeds will go to Riverview P.R.O. Kids and remaining items will be donated to the Salvation Army.

 

For more information, please contact Jackie at 382-0052

or jacqibu@hotmail.com