tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post3871207490218163976..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: The Walking ManTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-26906340353151437432011-10-29T08:59:15.917-07:002011-10-29T08:59:15.917-07:00Tom,
Yes, I agree with you in several ways, the W...Tom,<br /><br />Yes, I agree with you in several ways, the Walking Man, is alone, and it would appear to be due to some neglect/ deficit in his life experience. And this is not an aloneness we would wish for ourselves, our family members, or the children in our care.<br /><br />I agree all humans need and desire connections - and we see this in our children - we are social beings. I think that as an educator my job is to help and facilitate the healthy development of my kids, and my prayer is that they will experience a fulfilled life with healthy relationships, and a rewarding life.<br /><br />I want to know I've done my best at this - and hope that all goes well in their life - knowing that sometimes there are things out of my control such as mental illness, poverty, and abuse.We also would hope for a just and compassionate society which can provide for the vulnerable among us - I have just recently read of a wonderful woman who works in the inner city of Vancouver, Canada who will stop and talk to the homeless and ask them, "If I could get you on welfare right now, and find you a home will you accept?" Her experience is that everyone has accepted, and she has the resources to do it within the day, through a new initiative for the homeless. I love that she will wake up people sleeping on the street, and the first thing she does is offer them a cigarette, and offer help. She meets them where they are.<br /><br />This sounds like a good start, and I think she also keeps contact with them as they deal with the systems, as I think dealing with welfare can be overwhelming for some people. But she says she does not believe any of the homeless people she has encountered want to be homeless.<br /><br />In the case of the Walking Man, he may value his independence to a degree, but he may also not have encountered the help he needs, to connect with others. <br /><br />Thanks for this post - it was interesting and thoughtful.<br />BrendaMullin Avenue Workshophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489785153205822301noreply@blogger.com