Teach Your Children

I got an interesting e-mail from Gretchen, Simon's mom, earlier today. She was contemplating the post I made the other day in regards to whether or not to use a bidding format to sell our artwork. Here are her thoughts:

I wish I knew how to answer this. My kids think I want attention every time I tell Simon's story, but it's not that, I want PKS to be known and I want people to love him for him, a person, not just see his disabilities. I want Ben's paintings because they're gorgeous and inspiring to me as a mom and I know you're not doing it to show Ben as a "show". Do what feels comfortable.

I'm still not all that comfortable about bidding for the paintings just yet but I was struck by the remark about putting the spotlight on Simon. I can say without a doubt that every parent with an exceptional child that blogs here would agree 100 percent with me: your son deserves to have his story told! You are definitely doing the right thing by telling the world about his courageous journey.

Just in the short time this site has existed we've seen many eyes opened to the world Simon, Ben, Kaytar, Jennelle and all the other children of parents that lurk here live in. Even the memory of Shale Bug who now serves as a Guardian Angel for his family and our kids continues to affect so many lives for the better through the words of his Redneck Mommy.

So never ever feel guilty for sharing with the rest of us the love and pride you feel toward your precious little boy. One of the neatest things that I have learned through blogging is the discovery that my daughter Jessie is not the exception but the rule when it comes to older siblings of special kids. Be proud of them too because they shower as much love if not more upon their younger brothers and sisters.

You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye.

Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.

Can you hear and do you care and
Cant you see we must be free to
Teach your children what you believe in.
Make a world that we can live in.

Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
"Teach Your Children Well" Graham Nash