I promised myself to avoid this thread because the last time I spoke up here I was sure I would never ever do it again....but I am certain this horror has nothing to do with removing prayer from schools. The priest who christened my youngest son, John Danforth, who later became a Senator and was against most things I believe in...in that role...but he was a champion for the separation of church and state...and he stated why in a way I will never forget. He said, and I paraphrase from memory, "When we teach our children to pray, they are free to pray anywhere at any time and as often as they like wherever they are...a silent prayer is just as good as a scheduled daily organized prayer...maybe even more sincere". I hope I have not seriously mis-quoted him but his words have stayed with me for years. I will only add that having raised a child with multiple disabilities...psychiatric and medical...it is a full time job trying to get help but we don't want a return to institutions...we want the therapies, parent training, medical care, counseling, technology, education we've had to fight for, give up our careers for. Those of us who were lucky enough to adapt, make it our life's work know, have seen first hand what those kinds of services can do for a child and his or her family. Without them, we are lost, just trying to make it through another day. My 2 cents and a sincere wish to all of you and your loved ones for happy holidays and a more peaceful 2013
Pat
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