Today's card is for a new challenge - new to me, anyway. :) I have picked up a few Baby Bud Designs freebies and decided to play along with the:
Along with the sweet image, I used SU! cardstock in Whisper White & Almost Amethyst and SU! orange gemstone brads. The background paper is from DCWV and the ribbon is from my stash.
Now I have to share a personal story with you, proud mama moment and all. :) Yesterday at school, my daughter Cassidy (who will be 16 in April) noticed a boy sitting alone at a lunch table in the cafeteria looking sad. She noticed the principal walk over to him and try to speak to him, and the boy waved him away. So Cassidy and her friend called over to him to come sit with them, which he did after their repeated invitations - but he sat with his backs to them. Cass had never spoken to him before, but had seen him and knew he was in one of the special education programs at the school. Cass and her friend engaged him in conversation and he finally turned around and started talking to them. He told them that he is being severely bullied by a girl in his class - that he can't eat, he can't sleep, he can't even think... he was so upset. Cassidy's friend said "I'm not sure what to say, I've never been in a situation like that." This made him even more upset and he said "See? NO ONE UNDERSTANDS..." So Cass said "Wait - I understand. My brother was bullied and you HAVE TO tell someone, you have to talk about it or it's never going to get better." She told him that the girl probably only does it because it makes her feel better about herself, and that he shouldn't listen to her. He got right up from the table, went up to the principal, and told him what was going on. Then he walked back over to Cassidy, gave her a big hug in the middle of the cafeteria, and said "Thank you for being nice to me."
Yes, I am bawling. Yes, I cried when she told me the story. And I gave her the biggest hug and told her that she made me more proud than if she was a straight-A star athlete who was the star of the play.... LOL I cannot tell you how much it means to me to realize that my daughter has been paying attention - that maybe something positive came out of what Trevor went through as a young teenager. I want to believe that if other kids saw what she did, maybe the compassion will spread. But no matter what, I know that MY child has a heart of gold. And to me, that is what is important. I told her that this kid will probably never forget her, that one simple act of kindness that she did - I know that Trevor still remembers every person who showed him kindness - it's easy when there are so few, unfortunately, and it means so very much. When I told Trev the story, even he got teary-eyed. He said "I'm NOT crying - I'm just happy that she did that." LOL He even told her how proud he was of her and what a nice thing that was to do. My babies are growing up - and I think I must have done something right. ;)
Practice tolerance and acceptance today - smile at someone who might be different, it might make a world of difference to them.
Peace.