Dying to Live! (Let's end bullying.)

Dear Diary, today is Thursday. It was not a good day!  I got on the bus again, but no one would let me sit down and as I walked through the isles, I became the human punching bag.  It’s awful how one kid starts something and the others follow behind, like they have no conscience of their own. They are mean to me and I wish they knew, just for one day, how bad it hurts!  Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it. 

Mom asked me how school was going, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth!  I don’t want her to know; She’s too sensitive right now with Dad gone and everything! It would crush her if she found out what they were doing to me and Mom has too many things to worry about right now!  Nine month have passed since Dad left for Afghanistan and it's hard not having him here.  I’ll never forget the fear that I saw in Mom’s eyes when he boarded the airplane, for a split second she hesitated and let down her guard.  She pretended to be brave, but I could see that she was really frightened!   

Sometimes, I am afraid - so afraid that I can't sleep at night.  I feel like the world is closing in on me.  I want to be brave and strong like my parents, but at times it’s just too hard! Tomorrow is school and I’m trying to focus on my grades.  If there’s anyway the kids at school wouldn’t happen to notice me...that would be really great!  Goodnight diary,  Janni 

Journal Entry, Friday

It’s been months since I boarded the plane to Afghanistan.  This is a different world over here and believe me Dorothy was right, "there's no place like home!"  The people of this country are striving to make ends meet, much like the folks back in the states, but there’s a hidden darkness of oppression and despair that surrounds us.  There’s nothing more priceless than freedom, but freedom didn’t come without a price and the debt has been paid by many! 

This morning a bomb exploded not far from where we are stationed, it killed several civilians and three American soldiers.  War is not a friendly place and there are nights when I fear that I will not see the break of dawn - or my family again.  This is hell being in a strange world and millions of miles away from home.  I miss my wife and daughter Janni!  To me, they are the light reflecting off the sun and I know that everyday I’m here, I’m one day closer to going home! 

Dear Diary, today is Friday.

Someone stole my purse and dumped my things all over in the hallway.  I guess they wanted to feel really important!!!  All the pictures in my wallet were torn up and scattered on the floor, including the picture of my dad! It made me so mad and it was hard to fight back the tears.  How do people grow up to become so cruel? 

Mr. Tanner, my History teacher, helped me pick up all my things.  He was so kind and I was glad that he was there.  He apologized to me, even though it wasn’t his fault and I got the feeling that if he could have made it all go away, he would have done that for me.  

He told me not to let the bad things that other people do determine who I am and that I’m a person of great worth!  It made me feel better to know that he cared about my feelings.  Today, it was my favorite day of all and I was glad to be alive.  I hope tomorrow will be just as great. Goodnight diary,  Janni

Journal Entry, Sunday

It was a long night without any sleep.  My division was in charge of a reconnaissance mission and we were up for 36 hour straight, but one good thing, the mail sack was distributed this morning and I had three letters from home.  Maryanne and Janni, if you ever get a chance to read this journal, I love you both and it's hard to live each day without you!  Janni, I read your letters today and you have a marvelous way of making life seem so much better.  I'm grateful for your support!  I know you’re taking good care of your mother and I'm glad you have each other. If anything happens to me, I want both of you to know that my world was a better place when it was surround by the two of you!

Everyday, there are many children that leave the safety of their homes and enter into a hostile environment where they are abused by bullies.   They walk through the war zones of  our schools, but they are not alone.  Their teachers are forced to walk among the land mines that are set by those who terrorize the innocent with their ignorance.   

What will it take for our society to shed the evilness of bigotry, prejudice and hatred?  There are many children just like Janni, who dodge the bullets daily and who are fighting to survive in a place that should be a safe zone for our children. 

Janni’s dilemma is not much different from the world where her father is serving in Afghanistan, only she comes face to face with bullies every day!   Children's fears are real and it's expressed through the passion and intensity of their tears.  They get extremely depressed, frightened, and lonely.   When their world is threatened, they carry that weight upon their shoulders and in many cases never share the burdens with anyone!

I wrote this story for my granddaughter, who had an experience similar to this in school. Fortunately, it was brought to the attention of her teacher, but only because another student had the integrity to tell his parents.  The teacher questioned each students, made those involved write a letter to their parents admitting their actions and then she called their parents individually.   The teacher also reassured my daughter that she would monitor this situation throughout the year and with a sincere desire to prevent this from ever happening again.  

We commend the dignity of those noble teachers who walk upon the unsteady and shifting ground in our schools, and we honor those children who have the courage and integrity to stand up for what is right - "for this is the wisdom and courage of  greatness!"

Dear Diary, today is Monday.

Some of the bullies were picking on the new girl during lunch hour.  At first I was relieved because it took some of the pressure off me. Then I remembered how I felt when my teacher, Mr. Tanner, showed up in my life!  I moved my tray over to her table and introduced myself.  She’s so cool, I think we're going to be best friends!  It felt good to do the right thing and there’s power in numbers!  

Maybe one fine day there will be no wars, everyone will be accepted for their individual beauty and people won't have to die in fear, so that others can live in peace!
by, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day


"We have the ability to change the world through our actions. The light from one small candle can illuminate the entire world when it's shared with others!"

Grow Where You Are Planted.

When I was in school there were times when I struggled to keep up with the other children.  There was not much information known about dyslexia or learning disabilities and if a child fell behind in school, they were labeled.  That would be me!  

Reading became a struggle.  My eyes saw the words, but by the time it registered in my brain the form had changed to a completely new word (saw became was, etcetera).  I discovered that it was easier to read backwards in the mirror than it was to read forward in a text book!  My math scores reflected these challenges for reversing the sequence of numbers or mistaking 9 and 6 was very common for me.

For those who don’t understand what this is like.  Imagine taking a big bite of your favorite dessert and discovering, when it hits your taste buds, that it’s changed into a warm bite of cow pie!  I can assure you, for me, trust became a real issue and I began to second guess all my decision.  It was exhausting!

It wasn’t easy to overcome the obstacles of my disabilities, but I learned many valuable lessons from sitting at the back of the class!  I realized there are many choices in life to be made; although, it was difficult for me academically, I was determined to strive even harder to develop other gifts that came readily.  If I couldn’t go to Harvard, then I was going somewhere equally gratifying!

Within a few short weeks I had discovered my potential as an athlete.  That year I took the prestigious J. F. Kennedy Decathlon award and I became the only “freshman” in the history of my school to gain such recognition.  My triumph was over the entire freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors girls and although, this didn’t raise my math scores, it did wonders for my self esteem!

Triumph comes in all forms.  It’s studied and proven that when a person loses one of their senses, the other sensory perceptions become more predominant and powerful.  Think about this for a moment.  If one ability is “less than” and the “other abilities can become stronger” then this provides an advantage in many areas and not a disadvantage!  There is also a hidden clause for those who possess disabilities.  They developed an inner sense of determination to succeed and this breaks down the barriers between failure and success.

Here are some interesting people who developed their talents in spite of the obstacles. 

Hans Christian Anderson (Famous Author) - Dyslexia

Ludwig van Beethoven (Famous Musician) - Deaf

Alexander Graham Bell (Great Inventor) - Learning Disability

Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of England) - Dyslexia

Walt Disney (Animator/ Movie Producer) - Dyslexia

Thomas Edison (Great Inventor) - Dyslexia

Albert Einstein (Great Physicist) - Dyslexia

John Milton (Famous Author) - Visually Impaired

General George Patton (War General)-Dyslexia

Franklin D. Roosevelt (President of the United States)- Polio

Leonardo daVinci (Famous Painter)-Dyslexia

George Washington (President of the United States) - Dyslexia

Woodrow Wilson (President of the United States) - Dyslexia 

We are never too young or never too old to become excellent at something.  I am certain that if my English teacher had an opportunity to read my blog, she would roll over in her grave!  But guess what?  “It’s my blog” and one find day, I plan to finish all the races that I have yet to run! 

by, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.

"Never, never, never give up!" 
~ Winston Churchill

Enlightenment of The Indigo Children

Have you noticed lately how many noble spirits are inhabiting the earth?  They are children who possess excellent gifts and qualities!  They are born with an angelic countenance that surrounds them and their presences emulates that of peace and harmony.  

The pure in heart are raising the levels of consciousness and these enlightened souls are flooding the world with their profound energy! 

When in their presence; the world becomes a better place and peace and hope abound.  There are millions of enlightened spirits coming to earth.  

I have chosen to share three remarkable “little beings with brilliant souls” and when you look deep into their eyes - their magnificent light surpasses that of greatness.

They are called the Indigo Children and they proclaim their gifts are from the Heavenly Being.  They are those who recognize their extraordinary abilities and give credit to a higher authority than what is present in this life.  They are refined and elegant; bringing an awareness to the world that we are all powerful within our own light. 

The ten year old child prodigy, Jackie Evancho, (from America’s Got Talent) who has the voice of an angel has stated on Oprah, "My talent was given to me by God and each day I thank him for this gift."  The brilliance of her distinguished countenance is surrounding her and the beauty from within is clearly visible to the human eye.  Please watch as her innocent spirit emulate the light from within. 

The young, Akiane Kramarik, is another prodigy child who began sketching when she was only four years old.  Three years later her gifted talents were known around the globe and her artistic abilities are praised as a natural phenomena.  She has shared her remarkable story on CNN, ABC, Oprah, and around the globe.  

The intrigue comes not only from her rare talents, but the fact that she exposed her atheist parent to the existence of a God, at such a young age.  (Akiane had never been outside the perimeters of her home for any formal training.)  At the age of four, she began to express her feelings about her innate abilities to her parents and changed their lives forever.  Akiane’s paintings reflect upon a preexistence called Heaven, where she remembers living with her friend, Jesus.  When her parents inquired where she had learned these things, Akiane, explained that God had revealed them to her. 

Ethan Bortnick, is the renowned child prodigy who started playing the piano at the age of three.  His parents recognized his extraordinary ability through the sounds coming from a plastic toy piano that had only fourteen keys!   Today, he is the ripe old age of six.  Ethan has memorized over 200 piano pieces and is performing all over the world.  His light and energy is impossible to extinguish or contain and it overflows into the lives of everyone in his presence!

It is said that, “Out of the mouths of babes...”   These little ones are proclaiming that there is a light more brilliant than that of the noon day sun and they give credit to that higher source... "who was, and is, and yet to come"!  It’s impossible to look upon their faces and not witness a greater purpose being preformed. 

Have we forgotten who we are?  I think not!  However, it's easy to become distracted by the worldly noises taking place around us that will tarnish the inner glow.  There are those who hide their gifts underneath the rubble of a world that strives to dictate what they are to become.  

We are all children of light and energy with unlimited potential!  Everyone has a divine purpose and a responsibility to make this world a better place in which to live.  This starts by constantly striving to acknowledging ones excellence, by living within that inherent light and by giving thanks to the Master of our destiny. 

by, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.