bierkergaard

The abyss of our natures can only be filled by Christ - O. Chambers The younger girl killed in this story had attended our middle school in the District where I work. She hadn't befriended a lot of kids. Sounds like she was with us for a year and then moved elsewhere, back to the 'hood. Where she was murdered. Only a few kids saw me when they heard. One aspect of what made this so sad was that her death seemed be silenced by her lack of being known. She was with us and left. Not many memories of her remained. But for the kids who did know her, they cried out like Abel's blood from the ground.  She loved to sing according to her two best friends at our school. Her spilled blood laments. "I was somebody, I am not a statistic. I have a soul."       I have worked with teenagers for 30 years. I have earned the right to be heard and heeded. I know of what I speak and write. I have worked hard, studied hard, and sacrificed more than anyone would know to be in thi...

Tuesday we had a Professional Development at work. Each quarter, several departments collectively provide breakfast for our colleagues. For the last 15 years or so, I have been bringing bagels. Being that I live in Central Pennsylvania, legit bagels are hard to find. Most of them are baked like bread, in the shape of a bagel but not made as a bagel should be. Simply, it should be boiled in water before baking. This process gives the bagel a crispy outside and a deliciously tender and chewy inside. And, the bagels go stale quick. Nothing better than a bagel freshly made. There is a place nearby that make bagels correctly. The downside is that the bagels are costly. Over a dollar a piece. I have stopped looking at the receipt and just hand over my credit card. I take one for the team and my colleagues appreciate it. Since I am a Central Pa. transplant, hailing from the Philly 'burbs, I am probably a bit more cosmopolitan than most in these parts. Essentially, I was raised in the...