Count your blessings...We had a short visit today with Mike, our upstairs neighbor. His girlfriend, Heather, works as a 1st grade teacher in E. Brooklyn (one of the worst areas). I remember talking to her after school started about how discouraged she was since she can't discipline her class at all or even give them a time out or time in the corner. Kids in her class curse at her and all she can do is call their parents &/or send them to the principal's office. She is a 3rd year teacher and was not enjoying the experience at all. I asked Mike today if things had improved at all and he said no. How do you teach children that don't even have their basic needs met? He said through the luck of the draw she has really the worst of the worst in terms of their behavior and life situations. He said that MANY of the kids in her class go back to the homeless shelter at the end of the day. I can't imagine a life like that for myself or my children. Not many of us can. But when we all get caught up with what all we have to do in this holiday season, just remember how blessed we truly are. So MANY kids don't have that same opportunity.