| David’s Shoes Helping Children and Teens Honor Life |
In 1998, 3,792 American children
and teens (19 and under) died by
gunfire in murders, suicides and
unintentional shootings, according
to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention.
That's more than 10 young people a
day. In that year my son David,
happened to be one of them.
When we see or read about
statistics, we think in terms of
numbers, and though 3,792 is a
large number, the number 1 was a
large number for me that year.
My one son became my one dead
son. But (1) one doubled and
became (2) two for a portion of me
died that March also.
I imagine that 3,792 has doubled or
even tripled as well.
The parents of all those children,
and their siblings were also affected.
and teens (19 and under) died by
gunfire in murders, suicides and
unintentional shootings, according
to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention.
That's more than 10 young people a
day. In that year my son David,
happened to be one of them.
When we see or read about
statistics, we think in terms of
numbers, and though 3,792 is a
large number, the number 1 was a
large number for me that year.
My one son became my one dead
son. But (1) one doubled and
became (2) two for a portion of me
died that March also.
I imagine that 3,792 has doubled or
even tripled as well.
The parents of all those children,
and their siblings were also affected.
Our society has also been affected.
Did we lose the one who had the
secret of curing cancer? Did we lose a
Senator or even a President? Did we
lose a humanitarian who would
travel the world for human issues?
We’ll never know.
For those hopes and dreams are
forever gone from us. David was my
son. Unfortunately there are many
David’s who have made their eternal
exit through the hands of misguided
and troubled youth.
For this reason I would like to tell my
story to young people to remind them
just how precious they are. They
must choose life and in choosing life
means making decisions about their
lives rather than living on impulse. I
would also like to get their help in
donating old shoes in honor of a
friend or family member who has lost
their life through teen violence. They
deserve to be remembered.
Did we lose the one who had the
secret of curing cancer? Did we lose a
Senator or even a President? Did we
lose a humanitarian who would
travel the world for human issues?
We’ll never know.
For those hopes and dreams are
forever gone from us. David was my
son. Unfortunately there are many
David’s who have made their eternal
exit through the hands of misguided
and troubled youth.
For this reason I would like to tell my
story to young people to remind them
just how precious they are. They
must choose life and in choosing life
means making decisions about their
lives rather than living on impulse. I
would also like to get their help in
donating old shoes in honor of a
friend or family member who has lost
their life through teen violence. They
deserve to be remembered.
Once I’ve collected enough shoes to
create an effective exhibit, I would
like to take the exhibit to various
schools, youth centers, churches, and
any organization dedicated to
uplifting the lives of children and
teens. The exhibit would be a path
made of shoes.
Students will be invited to walk the
path, in hopes that they may
experience the reality of death.
I am an educator. I’ve worked in
public education for thirty four (34)
years. Because of my love for
teaching I assist young people
entering the teaching profession as
an Adjunct Professor. Being a
professional did not immunize me
from this dreadful epidemic. I have
been greatly affected by the ravenous
violence of which I see very little is
being done.
Since this problem originated among
the youth of our nation, I believe the
solution also lies within in them. It is
my desire that as each student
participates, they will make the
decision to honor life.
create an effective exhibit, I would
like to take the exhibit to various
schools, youth centers, churches, and
any organization dedicated to
uplifting the lives of children and
teens. The exhibit would be a path
made of shoes.
Students will be invited to walk the
path, in hopes that they may
experience the reality of death.
I am an educator. I’ve worked in
public education for thirty four (34)
years. Because of my love for
teaching I assist young people
entering the teaching profession as
an Adjunct Professor. Being a
professional did not immunize me
from this dreadful epidemic. I have
been greatly affected by the ravenous
violence of which I see very little is
being done.
Since this problem originated among
the youth of our nation, I believe the
solution also lies within in them. It is
my desire that as each student
participates, they will make the
decision to honor life.
| David's Shoes |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |