Friday, April 18, 2008

W O W

I'm rarely at a loss for words (at least in writing), but this is one of those times. As of 9:30 p.m., the amount donated is $745.

Thank you.

A couple of quick questions to everyone who has contributed, and anyone who is still thinking about it:
  1. Can I use your names--first and/or last--when I thank you publicly here on the blog? Or would you rather be anonymous, like I am?
  2. When I hand the laptop over to D, as he'll be known here, I'd like to have a print-out of messages you might have for him. Please either email me or post in the comments anything you'd like to share with him.
Thank you all so much. Your support makes everything I do every day seem so worthwhile. And for all the struggling first-year teachers and burned-out fifth-year teachers out there, let this be a lesson for all of us: People do care about teenagers and about what happens in classrooms.

9 comments:

Lass. said...

I'd prefer to just be listed as Lass. I'll email you my name so you know which donation was mine.

Bill said...

My message: people will sometimes fusspoint you by being selfish and uncaring, but sometimes people remember we are a big family. Makes life more interesting

Bill said...

Er, that was supposed to say "disappoint"

Anonymous said...

You better get him a mighty fine laptop Mr. P...

OK...my message to D...

"D-

I hope that this gift--and moreover, the fact that perfect strangers want you to have it--is testament that:

a.) you are on the right path--earning Mr. P's absolute "this kid has potential" is not something easily earned (DO something with it!) and

b.) never underestimate the amount of kindness and desire for good in the world--the media may focus on who got shot and why people suck, but as someone twice your age, I can attest to the fact that there is far more good in this world than bad (given, sometimes you have to look hard for it)--and it comes purely from people.

Take this gift and be great.

-ms g"

Anonymous said...

YAAAAH! I'm so happy that everything is working out. You can use my first name and last initial (Amber P.). I'm still thinking of something to say to D. I'll get back to you on that one.

Amber

Anonymous said...

I just chipped in a little, and I don't want D to know who I am. It's a good lesson at an early age to find that one can, on occasion, rely on the kindness of strangers.

jenska said...

Back when I was a senior in high school, a teacher of mine made a comment that cemented her as one of the most important people in my youth. What she said was something along the lines of "own your presence; delight in the fact that you are at any given time wowing someone" (sorry I don't have the exact quote on me, it's in my yearbook in a box!) and it made me realize that I was visible. To a kid that often felt like just part of the scenery, that made an impact on me.

So, I'm donating to the kitty for D's laptop so that he realizes that he too, is visible. And maybe someday 20 years from now he will do what he can to make another kid feel that great about themselves.

Also, I recently left behind a very expensive, special-ordered-from-Spain stroller when I was packing up my kids. I drove off, leaving the stroller on a busy road. When I realized what I had done, it was already the next day! After a few days I decided to check the police station, and a good samaritan had turned it in! I was sure it would never be found -- anyone with kids knows how pricey those things can get, so I figured it had been stolen. The $$ that we thought about having out as a reward for the stroller is going to D. Maybe he won't be as jaded as some of us can be, and will realize that most of the time, people do the right thing.

Historygrl said...

Honestly, I would like to remain anonymous... please. :) Tell D I'm rooting for him. He's on to great things!!!!

Anonymous said...

I would like to remain anonymous too