OCTOBER 2011, LIVING, LOVING & LAUGHING

Remember way back in August when all the kids in the neighborhood were running around in minimal clothing and trying to look and stay cool? This column featured a question by “Anonymous” expressing concern about a pre-teen girl’s attire and demeanor attracting the wrong kind of attention from older (maybe not so much wiser) boys? I learned some readers thought “Anonymous” was a man and found the column a little “creepy”, as in, “Why is this guy paying so, so much attention to this pre-adolescent girl?” Well, sillies! The writer was a woman! This is not to say a caring man would not share the writer’s concerns. Just that (and this is weird I think) a man writing as “anonymous” evokes this creepiness response in some people. Something to think about (I’m thinking). For the particular Reader’s Question refer to August COMMUNITY REPORTER archives under columns.

Readers responses were, as always, varied. One teenaged type family member of mine (female) joked, “Tell her to mind her own gosh-o-golly business!” Then laughed, referred to the Psychology Text in her lap, adjusted her glasses, and pretended to seek a reference under what she referred to as the chapter on “Little SL&#Ts.” She threw her head back and laughed at the looks on the surrounding adult faces then said she was sure her mom and dad would know exactly what to say to the girl’s parents.

The question was one of safety, not unlike a question a few months ago about a texting/phoning teenage driver. Is it best to err on the side of caution, bite the bullet and just tell the kid directly about the concerns? Or, and especially in the case of a scantily clad pre-teen, is approaching the child directly inappropriate for a near stranger? I’m going to suggest erring on the side of caution in regard to the child’s safety. If you are a stranger, approach the parents or guardians and express your concern. If the child appears to be in imminent danger don’t hesitate to simply call the police. I’m a big one for “better safe than sorry.”

Last month Dear Deb spoke about the dramatic increase in the need for Housing Assistance services in our community. Your responses were compassionate and inquisitive. Are we powerless? What can be done? What can we do? One reader reminded me of a quote by Mother Theresa: “Your brother's newsletter is really, really powerful. And makes me despair that any change can come about. I have to go back to a quote from Mother Teresa to keep it in perspective: "In this life we can do no great things. We can only do small things with great love.” Yes.

See this month’s article about the work of the Homeless Advisory Board’s in THE COMMUNITY REPORTER.