Between the Lines

Random reflections from the youth in a juvenile correctional facility.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

End of Week One!

Two final entries from my boys. I'll pick something a little more upbeat for next week :-)

I would want my friends and family to remember that I was a good person cause I'm positive, show respect for others and their feelings, and I care about other people, not just myself. I love to have fun, everybody likes me, and I love sports. BW

If I were to die tomorrow, I would want my friends to remember me as the one who never gave up, the one they could always depend on no matter what the circumstance, the one who showed love and gave love and always had their back. I would want my family to remember me as the one who would go through fire for them, the one who had to struggle at juvenile placement, the one with no father or mother - just a brother who is 6 years older and a sister who is 8 years younger. But most of all I want to be remembered as the original one and only ME! CR

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Invitation for Comments and Suggestions

As we come to the end of week one of our blog experiment, I'd like to invite those who read the student entries to please comment and make suggestions for future topics. The kids are excited about having their work 'published' and having a voice on the Web! The last entry is one I think you'll find especially touching (it's a girl thing, what can I say?! ;-))

If I was to die tomorrow, I would want my family and friends to remember me as a smart kid and to remember my smile and my personality. NL

If I was going to die tomorrow, I would say everything to them that they didn't know. I would say to my friends that I loved them and that they made my life easier. I would say to my family that I love them too, and that I am sorry for getting locked-up and making them go through pain. I would want them to remember that I would have taken a bullet for each and every one of them. I also want to say sorry for disrespecting my mom by smoking and drinking in her house. I would tell myh mom that my whole life I never disrespected a girl (like hit them or talk nasty in front of one), and that I kept my word. I would tell my dad that I hated him for not being there when we needed you and that if I were to have my own kids, I would have sacrificed everything for them. I will tell my brothers to respect mom and protect her from everything bad. And do the same for our only little sis. I don't want my brothers getting locked-up. I want to tell my little bro Kevin to stop hustling and get a real job. And the last thing I will say is "I love you, I'm sorry, I will see you one day in heaven." JR

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Remember Me Cont....

August 28 was the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. It was also the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina during which many lives were lost and lives destroyed.

If I was to die tomorrow, I would want my family to think that I was a good person and I would want my people to think I was a good person, but made a few mistakes. I don't want anybody to think that I was a bad person. I amm going to get out and turn my life around and show everybody I am not a bad person. AB

If I were to die tomorrow, I would want my friends and family to remember that I am honest, trustworthy, and would do practically anything for them. I am a hard working man and would protect them at any cost. DR

I would want them to remember I loved them. That means more than anything else possibly could. As long as they remember that the love will go on long after I would die. I want them to know I was receiving the help they wanted me to because I loved them so much. JY

If I would die tomorrow, I would want them to remember my sense of humor, the way that I was always willing to learn new things and that it didn't matter what other people said. JG

If I were to die tomorrow I would want my friends and family to remember my love and respect that I give them and the good times we had on the holidays like Christmas and my times when I stand up for what I believe in I want them to never forget about my word when I speak the truth all I want them to remember my spirit and soul. MB

I would like my family to love me no matter what happened to me. ML

If I was to die tomorrow I will like to be remembered by my smile and word. My smile can get happiness to my family and friends, but my word is strong to people to hear. DW

Monday, August 28, 2006

Remember Me

If you were to die tomorrow, what would you want your friends and family to remember the most about you?

If I was going to die tomorrow I would want my family and friends to remember all the good times we had together. all the holidays we spent together. And most of all I would want them to remember that I love them with all my heart. And to remember that I'm still with them by spirit and that I'm all around them in the voice of the wind. And that I'm watching over them everyday. AV

I would want my friends and family to remember my fancy walk and my favorite line, "What's up, cuz!" And the good old days we used to have and share, like going places I loved going to and the way I used to talk. KS

Saturday, August 26, 2006

The experiment begins . . .

On Monday, I hope to introduce this blog to my communication students and have them submit their reflections on the class to me for posting to this blog. This is an experiment for us all. My first blog experience and the students' first opportunity to post something to the web. We'll see how it goes.