The Dalton Report

All is well here and I hope it is well with you!

Let's see...news...

1. Cole's soccer team won the Championship! That was exciting. He played great defense.

2. Report cards came home this week: all A's and B's. I took the boys to Mimi's Cafe to celebrate, and they thought it was cool.

3. I am finished with one song for my cd and I'm still working on two others. Hopefully, we'll finish those on Tuesday and move on. I'm on track and everything's on schedule, but it's harder than I thought! Having my voice played back in my ear while I'm singing is throwing my timing and I have hated the results on the first few cuts. So, I keep working!

4. Barry made an A on his Technology test and a 93 on his math test this week! He is doing so great.

5. Speaking of my sweetheart, he has a very bad cold and could barely speak yesterday from the chest congestion.

6. Pray for one of my students, "T". This is the situation:

Yesterday, when I unlocked my classroom, I saw a note she had pushed underneath my door. I assumed it was the usual "why I don't have my homework" letter and picked it up. Now, this student is a tough girl. The kind that doesn't get bullied or intimidated, the kind that doesn't bother anybody but has the other girls' respect because they know she could take them on two at a time, if she wanted to. Actually, she's kind of like Annie in that way (you know, Little Orphan Annie?). It's a strange comparison in my environment, I know, but she really has that kind of tough persona. She also is constantly getting sent out of class for mouthing at teachers.

She was in my class last year, but I don't have her this year. She was good for me and never showed me disrespect, but she didn't exactly give me smiles and hugs, either. I tell you all of this to explain why, when I read her note, I panicked. It said, " Dear Ms. Dalton, I need to talk to you about something that is bothering me. I don't know who else to talk to and it's been bothering me for a long time."

Since I know her not to be intimidated by other children, I ruled out a common "she called me a name and took my boyfriend" scenario. It must be serious if she came to me, a teacher she doesn't even have anymore. I immediately worried that she was pregnant. I couldn't think of what else it could be.

During class change, I saw her and motioned her over. I asked her if she could come to my room at lunch, but she just started talking right there, crying as she whispered, "I want to talk to my Daddy. He hasn't seen me since I was two. My momma told me he took off, but my cousin saw him at Fox and Hound ( local restaurant) and told me. Can you please call him, Ms. Dalton and tell him I want to see him? Tell him to come and see me at school. I just want to talk to my Daddy."

Of course, you know that I could not get involved. I prayed for her, hugged her, and told her I would think it over. Before I left yesterday afternoon, I told her that I had referred her to our school counselor and gave her half of my Hershey bar. It was all I could do.

I realize that there is always more to the story than a child realizes. Maybe her father is the scum of the earth. Maybe there is a restraining order, or he's lost his visitation rights- I don't know. I do know this- she is hurting. She, like so many other children in this world, is the victim of somebody's bad decisions. I thought of my boys and the pain they have suffered. Then I thanked God that they are able to have the peace we have managed to salvage and I felt assured that I am doing the right thing by allowing contact and accessability. It may not be possible for T's mother, and I know that, but I also know that bitterness and anger cause many children to be used as pawns, weapons, and prizes.

Please pray for T. as she struggles though whatever her family situation is. She is at a dangerous age when she needs so much attention and affirmation. What she doesn't get from a father figure, she may seek from a relationship with a boy with disastrous results. Her mother is going to be called in and free counseling will be provided for them both as they work out the issue.