Stacy Shuler, is 4 years jail enough?

I'm sure you've seen the coverage of the Shuler trial, a 33 year old teacher convicted of molesting 5 boys at her school. Two of the parents of the boys molested testified as to the impact on their sons.  Through tears they talked about depression, not trusting authority and interruption of college plans. This trauma indeed will impact these boys until they work through the beliefs they have acquired and processed the emotional response of sexual assault.

How proud I am of these boys who came forward and testified - how awful that they had to!  And how proud I am of the parents who named the reality!

Shuler hid behind alcohol and bi-polar as the reason for sexually assaulting these boys.  Thank goodness the judge saw through it and held her responsible. Nothing but the person who stalks, primes and perpetrates is responsible.

It is time we face this issue head on - what is it about our culture that thinks our children are fair game for personal gratification with no regard for them?  And as the spirit of these boys has been devastated on so many levels, is 4 years of her life away in prison enough of a penalty?  She most likely will be released before the entire sentence is served.

What it's all about!

Somedays I wonder what this journey I'm on is all about. I suppose that question is the fall-out from the work I do. I have both the privilege and the heaviness of hearing about some of the deepest pain anyone can endure.  And somedays I wonder what "it's" all about - can I really change the way people are treated?  Can I really help heal the damage; or shift a cultural thinking?  What is it all about?!?

And then I spend some valuable time with my young grandchildren and look into their trusting eyes and reaching arms and I know what it's all about.  I have to do the hard work of restoration, of becoming all I was created capable of being, so that they can!  I've got to leave a legacy that affords them the space in which to thrive in their authentic identity and impact the world as only they can.

Not one of us escapes hurtful words and actions that leave us wounded and sometimes scarred.  We accept the messages that lessen our value and undermine our self-respect, often redirecting our divine destiny.  We can't let that happen!  As hard as it is, we have to work to connect to the truth of who we are.

The journey is about connecting to our authentic identity to accomplish the purpose our presence provides!  And it is worth it!  My grandbaby's eyes say so.