Glance Away, Quick, Glance Away

A teenage friend was in our town selling red heart pins to raise funds for his school. Some folks bought one knowing it was for a good cause. Then there was everyone else. They dashed across the street just so they didn't have to walk by.

They pretended not to see him: "Anything on sale in the shop window?" A parody of bad acting.

To test a theory, our friend moved to a spot between two buildings separated by nothing but a blank wall. Putting on his most engaging smile, he continued calling for people to help support the local school.

Up came a middle-aged man with eyes lost in the land of middle-aged thoughts. As he approached, he focused briefly on my friend and quickly looked away, staring intently at---the wall. There was no shop, no other people, not even a sign. But that didn't matter. The wall would do.

He went by, joining a growing group of people too busy and too apathetic to offer 50 cents for an always under-funded, forever under-staffed part of our lives.

The recent and continued exodus of teachers helps emphasize what too many governments don't want to fix. Whether in Dublin or Mayo, the problem is certainly the same. "Don't bother me," some people seem to say. "It's my money."

But watch out, for the mirk of hell doth rise when I find you're not spending enough to teach my kid.

The Fosterinos First Day at School!

Awwww. All round the country all this week kids are heading back to school and along side them are lots of little first-timers. Our local school, apparently the largest national school in Europe, had 6 classes of newbies. Sounds like a baby boom around our way doesn't it?! Anyway we had two little scaredy kids heading off this morning, one into a whole new school at the age of 11 and the other into junior infants. Well the little boy is home already, not a bother on him, loved every minute. Myself and my almost-16 year old daughter just collected him. The 11 year old girl has a full day till 2:30. The school were brilliant; the Principal welcomed her at the door, knew her name, told her where I'd be when she finished school etc. etc. and her special needs person was there too and brought her to her class. I'd even managed to get her the wrong tie and they quickly gave me another one.
Although these two are fostered it is thought there is a good chance they will be with us for a very long time. They are settling in well and I hope the girl makes new friends in school. She is quiet, but is slowly thawing out! She's the type of kid who is constantly wanting to help me, loves to cook and bake and always does what's she's told! She's an angel! The boy's a little mad thing who just wants to mill around on a bike all day! Super kids really! I'm so proud and happy!
Anyway, it's a big day for our family and I just wanted to share a little bit of it with you lot!