When is it time to mind your own business?

[BabyRider]

Ok, you're walking down the street, minding your own business, when you see a parent yelling at their child. You look away, a bit embarrassed, and hear a slap. You turn around to see the parent has struck their child. What do you do? Do you mind your own business? Do you yell at the parent? Do you exclaim loudly to the other people walking by "Geez, someone should slap THEM around for a while" to show your disapproval? What if you see some other injustice? When do you step in? Do you EVER step in? Do people tend to get too involved or not involved enough? How do you react to things like this?

[lady cop]

i always step into situations...but i caution most people not to. you don't know WHO or what you're dealing with out there. or who has a weapon. or who is plain nuts. if you see something egregious, call someone equiped to intervene, but my advice is not to play police, it's not safe. confronting strangers is dangerous. i can't stress that enough.

[BabyRider]

It's a great point, LC. People should not play "cop". I guess I'm more interested in the hypothetical situation. "If" you saw A would you do B? Maybe I wasn't really clear. Do you all understand what it is I'm after?? *damning my lack of eloquence*

[lady cop]

here are two scenarios i observed recently. what should you, or would anyone here do? ...one was a male who left 3 very tiny children in a car and went into a store for at least 20 minutes. the windows were open and the children talking to any passersby, completely vulnerable..... second was a man in a car, stopped at a convenience store. he had a tiny girl about age of four in car. he was sitting in car swilling down some nice cold beers. further, the child was not in any type of restraint.

[BabyRider]

For the first scenario, I'd stand there, talking to the children until the dad came back. Then when he got there I would very sweetly say, "I was just watching them talking to all the people walking by here, and thought I'd join in!!" Hoping that my subtlety would not be lost on him. For the second scenario, I'd call the cops, right before I started flirting with him in the hopes of keeping him there till they showed up!

[Lon]

This scenario was the subject of a TV program last month, except it was a young adult baby sitter verbally abusing a 10 year old boy quite loudly. The whole thing was staged to see how other people walking through the park and witnessing the event would respond. The majority looked, stopped, but said nothing. Finally, a young mom with her own child stopped and talked to the sitter quite calmly, telling her how much harm she could be doing. Psychologists said that she was right to do so.

[BabyRider]

Lon wrote: This scenario was the subject of a TV program last month, except it was a young adult baby sitter verbally abusing a 10 year old boy quite loudly. The whole thing was staged to see how other people walking through the park and witnessing the event would respond. The majority looked, stopped, but said nothing. Finally, a young mom with her own child stopped and talked to the sitter quite calmly, telling her how much harm she could be doing. Psychologists said that she was right to do so.
I saw the previews for that show, but missed it. Wasn't there also a woman who stopped and bawled out the "sitter"? I think I remember seeing something like that in the previews.

[GAsunrise]

My more brash nature battles with the intelligent side of me that knows that in so many instances the kids pay for things if they make a scene.

For the first scenario, like others I would stay with the children unless it were unbearably hot. If that were the case I'd drag him out of the store or call the police. In GA it is against the law to leave a child in a car unattended.

Second scenario, I'd get him out of the car with flat tire stories or whatever ... if he started to leave I would block his exit until police arrive.



As for the rest, I'm a social worker, I'm elbow deep in child abuse everyday, some days I'm over my head and sinking fast.

[lady cop]

social worker...worse job than mine. hello GAsunrise, the one thing i would argue is blocking his vehicle...he's half drunk and may have a weapon. i will tell you what i did in both scenarios, and what i think a civilian should have done as well. in the first instance, i waited by the vehicle. this parking lot was less than a mile from the entrance to rte. 95. someone could have grabbed those kids in a moment and been on the highway in a minute. so i charged the guy with child endangerment and when he whined i told him in no uncertain terms that he was damn lucky he was charged and not being taken to morgue to ID their bodies. in second scenario i was in a salon getting my nails done and could see this moron. i walked out of salon (with my nails wet!) and got his tag number quite casually. and vehicle description. since i was not armed i called my dispatch and told them to send a unit. then i went out there and showed him my ID and badge and told him he was under arrest, if he had left he would have additional charges. when he was taken off to jail for DUI i called dept. of children and families, child endangerment again. as a civilian the best thing to do would be keep the 3 kids in your sight and call police. and in the case of the drunk driver to get vehicle description and tag number and call police, then try to see in which direction he drove off to let police know. the whole point of this is no matter how well-intentioned, do not put yourself in danger.

[A Karenina]

Excellent advice, Lady Cop.



I've thrown myself into other people's business before, and afterwards I always wonder if it's wise. If I think it's remotely dangerous or I think the jerk might come after me, then I just call the police. Other times, I stick my big nose in...Story time~



For whatever reason, kids LOVE to act up in the grocery store. If you want to see the worst side of parenting, go shopping on a weekday around 11am. LOL.



I remember on one shopping trip a mom was yelling at her kids, just shrieking. She'd lost it. I watched her for a minute, and then casually HAD to do some shopping quite close to her. She had the grace to shutup, and I took the time to compliment her kids. What bright eyes, look how smart, bet they can be a handful at times, and don't you just love them beyond belief?



The mom relaxed, almost cried, bless her heart. My own kids were with me, so she knew I understood. She calmed down, the kids calmed down. She was not an abusive person. She was a mom pushed to the brink. She never laid a hand on those kids, or even looked like she wanted to. Of course, that's my subjective opinion.



I was in a crowded grocery store. Had I been alone, I might well have done nothing at all.



-------



Before I moved this past summer, I lived in the "ghetto". Portland ghettos are nothing like big city stuff. I had a lot of Mexican immigrant neighbors. One day I was walking to catch the train to work, and I saw a car running, the driver door open, and two toddlers in the car...one of whom was reaching for the wheel.



I stopped dead, sternly said, "No." The little girl must've been terrified, but I really didn't care. I could just see her pushing that car into drive, and who knows what might've happened to them. The little girl moved away from the drivers seat, but I stood there anyway, waiting for the parents to come out.



The father was startled, not too happy, but more fearful of me than I was of him. So I smiled and told him he had beautiful children. We parents are total suckers for compliments about our kids! LOL. Another neighbor came out and translated for me. I told him of a friend I had years ago...same situation. Her son put the car into drive, and it ran into the garage. The kids were ok, but who knows what could happen?



Clearly the father hadn't thought of that. He thanked me, and I left.



--------



Several times, I've involved myself when a man is beating a woman. I call the police. I wait for them to show up. Then I talk with the woman. And I leave.



I am one nosy person!



When I was growing up, all of my neighbors were involved with the kids. They offered us lemonade, cookies, scolded us right quick when we needed it, and they never hesitated to call our parents if they caught us doing bad things. I thought it was a fine way to grow up. So, I guess I see no wrong in "tending" other people's children.

[BabyRider]

Now those are great stories! I'll add one of my own: I was working at a pool hall as a waitress, and in my section was a young couple who didn't appear to be getting along very well. He was berating her, and she was being pretty meekly. He was obviously trying to get a reaction from her, but she was not reacting. I'm pretty sure she was scared of whatever reaction she might have had. Anyway, a while later I heard a commotion, and looked over to see the bastard with the girl's hair in his hands, pushing her against the wall. She was begging him to please put her down and crying. I just reacted. No thought, no considering, just ACT NOW. The closest thing to me was a pool cue hanging on the wall as decoration, which magically found it's way into my hand. I was flying across the bar before I realized what I was doing, and I took out his knees with the cue. He dropped the girl pretty quickly, but the look on his face, I'd seen before, on another man, and I was more afraid than I'd been in a long time. So, naturally, I swung my cue like a baseball bat and whomped him in the guts. It made a very satisfying sound, combined with the air whooshing out of his body. I don't think I have ever felt quite so...liberated.

But, that, too could have turned out very differently, say, if I had seriously hurt him, or he had hurt me. It was reactive, plain and simple. Can't say as I'd do anything much different given the same situation, though. :yh_angel

[A Karenina]

Wow! I'll tell you that you are brave to take on that man, but you will probably say you're not brave, you just reacted. And so you did...but you're still brave. (LOL @ myself)

That's one thing I won't do, take on a violent man. Unless he's in the process of murdering her before my eyes, I figure she'll live long enough for the cops to get there. That sounds so awful, I know. (ashamed)

So what are you thinking is the "right" thing to do? Get involved? Stay to yourself? I love these kinds of questions, can you tell?

[lady cop]

domestic violence xalls are the most dangerous police face. you are more likely to be killed on a domestic than any other. they hate each other and are stabbing each other...until the cops arrive and become the mutual enemy..."how dare you arrest me or my wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend...just because i called 911??" they will attack your butt in a heartbeat when you interfere.

[BabyRider]

I really think it all depends on the situation, how well equipped you are to protect yourself, if you'd be doing more harm than good, etc. Lots of factors to consider. There are two very basic differences about how people react just in our 2 posts. We have both been in situations of domestic violence, and would react in very different ways if we were to see it happening. If more violent men were taken on in public, what would happen? I sure can't say. Maybe it's a wake up call for the man, maybe he goes home and kills his wife because he was so embarrassed. It's really hard to know what the right thing to do is. I still think, in general, if more people were involved in things, instead of burying their heads and saying "None of MY business", then there would, at the least, be more awareness of the injustices going on every day. Just my opinion, though.

[A Karenina]

LC, I didn't know that about domestic violence calls! I never called the cops on him, though he called them on me. I'd take off to my mom's house or a friend's until he calmed down, and he'd call 911 saying I kidnapped his kids. But he was always well-mannered with the cops. Just makes you wonder about people...

BabyR, I totally agree with you that people should be more involved. Just the other day here in sweet little Portland, a woman was beaten by 10 men while others did nothing. It was on the news, and now the town is riled up. There's talk of starting a citizen's patrol, like they did in NYC years ago.

[lady cop]

AK... yes ...these bullies usually are VERY well-mannered with the police unless they are COMPLETELY stupid. they have lots of cajones in attacking a weaker person, but none when confronted by someone who can kick their cowardly butt and put them in cuffs. then they whimper.

[valerie]

I have been in situations a couple times where it was really hard to decide

what to do, but I steeled my nerves and did it. (I'm really not good around

a man's anger after being almost 14 years in an abusive relationship!)

The first was on a street in our town, a man was "F'ing b*tch" and worse,

just completely berating this woman, she was crying, the two kids with them

were crying, totally messed up. I was feeling a little stronger since I had

my 70 pound gsd with me and she was laser-locked on this guy. She doesn't

like the "f word". Really. So I looked at this woman and said "Are you okay

do you need any help?" and then the guy started going off at ME about

minding my own business, etc. until such time as he noticed my girl staring

at him. The woman, poor thing, started making all kinds of excuses for him,

and I said a couple more things about getting help and getting it off the street

and not doing it in front of the kids, and the guy sorta lost a little of his mad

and started hanging his head. So I eventually went on my way, and coming back

by the spot a few minutes later, there was a cop doing some paperwork there.

(This couple had been right in front of a bank, I think someone called) So I

asked him if he had everything he needed, he said he thought so but asked

me to tell him what I knew so I did. Never seen that couple since.

The other time was at a grocery store parking lot, this man was totally going

off on a young boy all kinds of stuff, no physical just psychological abuse. He

went in the store and I went and talked to the boy and asked him if his dad

was always like that, he said yeah but he had never hit him. I asked him if

he wanted me to call someone, and he said no it would make his dad worse

when they finally got home. So I didn't but I've kinda always regretted it.

As for getting kids (or dogs) out of hot cars, I carry a center punch with me

and if I had to I'd use it.

People can be such slime.

:-1

[koan]

Defending children is the most likely scenario to get a response, I would think. If I see some kind of situation with children or women involved I usually stop in my tracks. I first let the offender know I am watching as that often can diffuse the situation. I may engage in conversation or make a comment but it depends on the situation and what I have observed. If my daughter is with me I will not engage beyond a passing comment. If someone is being beaten I will call 911 or security. If I am alone, a variety of things could occur. I am situational in my reactions.

BabyRider :-6

Can I follow you around?

[persephone]

I understand how people get to the stage where they end up yelling or even screaming at kids in public and at times slapping them, but I see it as a loss of control, therefore, see it as not good.

I agree with tmbsgrl, that the child should be repremanded there and then, after all there is no point in waiting until you get home, as they would've forgotten what they had done to deserve it.

If someone has got to the stage where they have lost control in any way like that, going up to them is possibly not the sensible thing to do.

I tend to give them one hell of a look and shake my head, exclaiming something under my breath (but not that quietly). That I hope might make them think a little.

And with your pool hall story babyrider I think you may have been lucky not to have ended up on charges there. Very brave but stupid thing to do, and violence does not solve violence. Not wanting to put a downer on it even more, but have you since thought how the girl might have had it taken out on her when she got home. he must have needed someone to vent his humiliation on after something like that?

[BabyRider]

letha wrote:

And with your pool hall story babyrider I think you may have been lucky not to have ended up on charges there. Very brave but stupid thing to do, and violence does not solve violence. Not wanting to put a downer on it even more, but have you since thought how the girl might have had it taken out on her when she got home. he must have needed someone to vent his humiliation on after something like that?
Charges brought on me for stopping a man from beating a girl? I'd have gladly faced any charges they tried to bring and REALLY loved to see the jury that would have convicted me of anything except destruction of property. The pool cue ended up in several pieces. And the girl didn't seem to think I was "stupid" for getting the nutcase off of her. She was pretty grateful, in fact. And I'm also pretty sure I mentioned the possible repercussions earlier. The guy didn't get to go home with her. He was arrested on the spot. I saw the girl later, because she came to thank me for helping her. Like I said, it has nothing to do with bravery. I reacted to a situation I saw happening that was WRONG. You think of it as "stupid", I saw someone being hurt who didn't deserve it and couldn't help herself. If it ever happens to you, I bet you wouldn't call someone who came to your aid "stupid".

[Der Wulf]

Actually the rules are about the same as for an emergency situation. First, take a second to think [sorry BR]

1] Is immediate action necessary?

2] What are my assets/limitations/skills?

3] What help/backup is available?



This assesment, in detail, takes less than 10 seconds ; IF you have done some homework, and if you are PROPERLY aware of your surroundings. I've taught both defensive shooting, and personal defense classes. Depending on your personal preferences, taking one of these classes is invaluable, after all, if you can't help yourself, you won't be of much use to someone else. These classes are not designed to make you rambo, or get you in shape, their primary purpose is to take an inventory of your abilities, [actually know your physical strength and weaknesses], make you aware of sources of help, and not so obvious resources that you can employ, and teach you how to be aware, or "read" your surroundings.



Practical information like putting emergency numbers on speed-dial on your cell phone, how to give a report to police, your rights, responsibilities, and techniques for interventions, CPR qualification, Hymleck manuver, defensive procedures, ect. A well run class will have expert presentations, group discussions, have some elements of psychology, and will do wonders for your self confidence.



Caring is wonderful, ignorance is deadly. :-6

[BabyRider]

Why would you apologize to me DerWulf?? :yh_think

[Der Wulf]

BabyRider wrote: Why would you apologize to me DerWulf?? :yh_think
Cuz your action was brave, caring, effective, and totally unacceptable to people who care for you. A couple more seconds to yell for help, or a little conversation to see what was under the table, or his shirt could make the difference between success and disaster, and would not have materially affected the girl. Hell, your a hunter, and shooter --what was your sight picture?? I have the same problem, I totally despise bully's, even "blacked out" a couple times and found myself standing over a bloody puke, took a coupla "unseen" friends of jerk to make me learn how to convert blind rage to cold fury. Tis much better on the bod, like your shape and color, extra bumps, and green/blue varacolored face would not become you. :yh_kiss

[A Karenina]

letha wrote: violence does not solve violence. Not wanting to put a downer on it even more, but have you since thought how the girl might have had it taken out on her when she got home. he must have needed someone to vent his humiliation on after something like that?
Letha, you have a good point. Sometimes people hesitate to get involved because of the possible repercussions; that our help might make things worse.



When you're in an abusive relationship, one of the first things to go is your sense of self. It is necessary for the abuser to destroy your feelings of worth, because self-esteem/self-respect makes you walk out on an abuser.



If you're feeling worthless, and bystanders quietly watch your attacker abusing you...it does more damage than I can describe. But when one person stands up, and calls the behavior wrong, it begins to balance out the twisted thinking. It demonstrates that complete strangers think you're worthwhile, so why don't you think so about yourself? And so on...



Yes, it's entirely possible that the abuser might take out his humiliations on his victim. But, to me, abuse is a battle over mind and soul much more than body. It's a nasty choice, I don't like it at all...but it's there. If we have 10 seconds to impact someone else's life, will we choose to protect their body or try to inspire their hearts to take care of themselves, to show them their own worth?



Just my thoughts.

[BabyRider]

Der Wulf wrote: Cuz your action was brave, caring, effective, and totally unacceptable to people who care for you. A couple more seconds to yell for help, or a little conversation to see what was under the table, or his shirt could make the difference between success and disaster, and would not have materially affected the girl. Hell, your a hunter, and shooter --what was your sight picture?? I have the same problem, I totally despise bully's, even "blacked out" a couple times and found myself standing over a bloody puke, took a coupla "unseen" friends of jerk to make me learn how to convert blind rage to cold fury. Tis much better on the bod, like your shape and color, extra bumps, and green/blue varacolored face would not become you. :yh_kiss
Makes good sense, DerWulf. And I especially like the "sight picture" question, and I'll answer it honestly. It was sheer red. It's true what they say, about being SO mad that you see red. You really do. It's happened to me twice in my life, and it probably would happen any time I saw a man hit a woman. (The second was my ex-brother-in-law attacking my mother.) It's (for me) not like hunting, because when I'm hunting, I have the control, there are no surprises. When I saw this, I reacted. No thought, no decisions, just reaction. All that was going through my head was NONONONONONONO....I wanted to hurt him, stop him, anything. It's a very strange sensation, and I'm not saying that I could have KNOWN I was doing the right thing. I got lucky. This is not to encourage other people to start swinging clubs at people if they see something they don't like. LadyCop would have my a$$ if I didn't clarify that! But after seeing firsthand what men are capable of doing to a woman, I just wanted to stop him, and I doubt I could have stopped myself.

HOWEVER. I totally see your point about it being "unacceptable to anyone who cares about me." Thankfully I have a 235 lb. protective biker on my arm pretty much whenever I'm out now!! :yh_bigsmi

[LoveMama]

Well.....when I was younger and all my five childen were in school and I several times saw kids fighting...I'd stop my car, get out and nicely ask them to quit. Kid's like me thank goodness. They would be a little embarrassed. I told them I'd just stay for a while until they decided to quit.. Then I'd explain to the them that I was well aware that They didn't think it was a dumb thing to do (fight)......but I was willing to let them go ahead. Well, naturally they stopped. These kids were about 10 to 12 years in age.

I told a mother screaming at her child in Longs drugs....I bet you're having a bad dead. She looked at me and said 'boy I sure am'

I told her I understood........and she calmed down.

I would never get into a confrontational situation with an adult male or female. Kids in car alone........I'd wait a few minutes and if parent didn't show up I'd call LE and take the license plate # and stay there til LE showed up. I would not confront the parent.

I saw some gang kids.........speeding in front of my house last week.

They were going too fast to get the license plate so just automatically called the police. (they were going about 60 mph....speed limit is 25.)

Anybody, anything would have been killed if they'd been in the way.

I was livid!

I simply believe in letting LE take care of bad situations. I know most of the policemen and women in my area by first name because I live in fairly small town. They are all so nice....and I really appreciate what they do and admire them so much,

xxxxxooooo

mama

[lady cop]

hi LoveMama! about time you came back here! :-4 i was about to come out there and get you! :-6

[LoveMama]

lady cop wrote: hi LoveMama! about time you came back here! :-4 i was about to come out there and get you! :-6


hahahahaha

I've been playing around with my new computer! It's to die for...

Hope you feeling okay. I just got a notice of a pm from you it won't let me open it. Say's I have a blocker or something. I do have one for my MAC computer so maybe that's it. Son Peter coming home tonite from Hawaii and middle son David will be here next week to get this computer REALLY up and goin'.....so I'll be posting some photo's here.

You'll probably get sick of looking at them. heeheheheeeheeehe

Peter bought a house in Heleiwa, Oahu......North Shore. 3 bedrooms, pretty big house and lot. It's right in front of Sunset beach.....major surfing area. Everyone's going over for Easter. Not me. I'll go later.

Email me! Love you sweet darlin'

GOD BLESS COPS!

xxxooo

mama

[abbey]

Wednesday night i went to a soccer match in Manchester, when i got off the metro (tram) i passed 4 guys going through a guys pockets, they were holding him up while doing it but were obviously nervous about what they were doing.

I stopped & asked if everything was ok & one guy, who by this time was going through the drunks wallet said " everything was fine" that they was looking for their friends ticket before they got to the gate. I asked the drunk if he knew them but he was too far gone to respond so then asked them what his name was, they all responded "Nick" at the same time whereby he answered "what".

I apologised to them and they shook my hand & said "thankyou" they could'nt believe that an opposing fan would stop & offer a hand to their friend.

Do i regret stopping? no, i was surrounded by thousands of people + police everywhere, would i have done the same on a street where no-one else were around, NO.

We can all be a little impulsive at times (me more than most!) LC is right in what she says, we should'nt put ourselves in a situation that is dangerous but sometimes instinct takes over.

ps; by the way, we lost :-1

[BabyRider]

Ok,...uh....Andy? What are you talking about?? :yh_think

[koan]

BabyRider wrote: Ok,...uh....Andy? What are you talking about?? :yh_think
That needs repeating. :-2

[lady cop]

all domestic violence is unacceptable. we arrest mother-daughter, father-son, siblings, live-ins, exes, etc. etc. and yes adult children can and do abuse parents. i know a female who murdered her own grandmother. and a mom who shot her twin sons. it's ALL violence, it's all criminal. but this thread was about what to do, whether to interfere with situations one observes in public. or next door. or anywhere.

[BabyRider]

angloandy wrote: Has anybody in this thread got children?It's ok for people to surmise that the adult is the aggreser,but every family is different.I do not condone violence against children,i would not accept a violent situation involving a child, but unfortunately it's a way of life for some families,the children are attacking the parents,i have been told by my 15 year old daughter ,if i do can't this or i ca't have that childline will sort me out,my reply was bring it on ,killed stone dead ,some people are weak,they can't handle the situation,kid wins or parent loses it,either way the weak parent loses!
In fact, quite a few of us have children. If I'm reading your post correctly, you are talking about a child being snotty and the parent nipping it in the bud, yes? The way this thread began, was my wondering about hypothetical situations, and what people would do in certain instances. You'll notice at the beginning of the thread how everyone was talking about being protective, or if they would interfere at all.

I'm assuming "Childline" is the equivalent of Child protective services here, right? And when you say "killed stone dead", you are referring to the conversation with your daughter? I'm just trying to clarify what you're driving at, not being sarcastic. (Something I am famous for...)

[koan]

I am very frightened at how having children and disciplining them is related to liking sex without a condom . Please explain your phrases, angloandy

[shibee]

I was at work one evening when I noticed a young boy (probably 5) lying underneath the buggy with his arms spread. He could have easily broken an arm or got his fingers smashed under the wheel. Anytime I see this, I (politely) go to the parent and explain to them how I would hate to see their child get hurt and I ask them if they could please arrange their child in the seat correctly. Well, I go to this parent and I asked him if his son could please get up. He had no problem with that, in fact, he actually thanked me for pointing out the potential dangerous situation. While getting his son from underneath the buggy, the father (I guess) smashed his fingers somehow AND BLAMED HIS SON! At this moment, he grabs his son and says, "Do you see what YOU made me do?" The little boy started to cry and the father teased him calling him a "sissy" and said that "little boys don't cry, sissies cry" and he pinched him! The little boy is wailing and the father just kept saying "Shut up sissy" He even went as far as saying, "Wah wah wah!" I even saw him smack him on the head...FOR NO REASON! I felt bad because I was the one who pointed out (to the father) that his son could have gotten hurt underneath the buggy. I thought that maybe if I hadn't said anything, none of this would have happened (poor kid). This man continued to tease his son up until he got ready to check out. While he was standing in line, I went up to the little boy and asked him what his name was, it's Jeremiah. I said "Well, you know what Jeremaih, you are a big, smart boy. Don't ever let anybody else tell you different. You are not a sissy, and it's ok to cry when you are hurt. You are not a baby...You are a big boy!!!" He gave me the biggest hug and smile that I have probably ever recieved :p and it melted my heart. I wasn't paying any attention to the father, I didn't care if he was to say anything to me. But, he just stood there in shock. Not a bad shock, but in shock as if he was thinking "What have I done?" He checked out and I noticed that as he was pushing his son in the buggy, he was hugging him as well. I know it probably wasn't my place to say anything to his son, but gaw, the kid didn't do anything. It just breaks my heart to see things like that happen and yes, I will stand up for someone if I need to. I felt that Jeremiah needed to know that he's a special, smart and big boy. And maybe that was a lil wake-up, grow up, reality check moment for the father as well.

[koan]

shibee, :-6

this is a shining example of angels working through people. you were that little boy's angel. you changed the course of his life...and the father's.