Children Leading the Way – Lumin Story

Dads On Duty

Lumin Story — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 18:01:30 +0000

After a violent week of fighting at a Louisiana high school, parents knew something had to change.

So, a group of dads decided to show up not just for their kids – but for the whole student body – to help maintain a positive environment…

Letting Go of Baggage

Lumin Story — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:21:55 +0000

This starts my 22nd year of teaching middle school. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the most impactful days I have ever had.

I tried a new activity called “The Baggage Activity”. I asked the kids what it meant to have baggage and they mostly said it was hurtful stuff you carry around on your shoulders.

I asked them to write down on a piece of paper what was bothering them, what was heavy on their heart, what was hurting them, etc. No names were to be on a paper. They wadded the paper up, and threw it across the room.

They picked up a piece of paper and took turns reading out loud what their classmate wrote. After a student read a paper, I asked who wrote that, and if they cared to share.

I’m here to tell you, I have never been so moved to tears as what these kids opened up and about and shared with the class.

Things like suicide, parents in prison, drugs in their family, being left by their parents, death, cancer, losing pets (one said their gerbil died cause it was fat, we giggled) and on and on.

The kids who read the papers would cry because what they were reading was tough. The person who shared (if they chose to tell us it was them) would cry sometimes too. It was an emotionally draining day, but I firmly believe my kids will judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster.

This bag hangs by my door to remind them that we all have baggage. We will leave it at the door. As they left I told them, they are not alone, they are loved, and we have each other’s back.

I am honored to be their teacher.

Credit: Karen Wunderlich Loewe

Asking for What You Need

Lumin Story — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 02:42:18 +0000

Lisa and I had to get on a flight unexpectedly this weekend to visit someone we love. And yesterday, we flew home. As we took off and got up over Dallas, we were pin-balling around in some terrible turbulence. The kind that makes you close your eyes, collapse into yourself, and get really quiet; the turbulence that turns even the staunchest atheist into a prayer warrior.

In that moment, the teenager next to us, with whom we had not yet shared a word, turned and said very intensely, “I need you to talk to me right now.” He went on: “I have terrible anxiety, and this is my first time to ever fly alone, and this turbulence is messing with me. I need you to talk to me right now!” And so we started talking.

“Hi, I’m Lisa. And this is my husband, Daniel. And we are going to be your best friends for the next 90 minutes. We are so proud of you for telling us what you need! That took a lot of courage and we’d be proud of our own kids for taking the risk you took. We’re all going to be okay, and we’re here for you, so just tell us what you need.”

He told us his name is Braden and that he’s 16, and that he plays the guitar, ukelele and piano. And he told us that he’d just finished recording his first album. I told him that I’ve spent my life recording music, too, and I asked him if he had an album on him that I could buy. He pulled one out of his backpack, signed it, and gave it to me. And I reached in my backpack and gave him all of our traveling cash.

But here’s the most important thing, something that Braden can teach all of us: when you need help from people, take the risk and ask for it. “I need you to talk to me right now.” When life gets turbulent, we tend to close our eyes and collapse inward and get really quiet. But, no, that won’t work! Braden shows us a better way. Look around, open up, put yourself out there, and ask for help.

Yesterday with Braden was holy ground. It was one of the most beautiful conversations we’ve had in a long time. And it’s because someone took the risk of being honest. So be like Braden and take the risk.

Source: Daniel Grothe / Facebook

Paying for Dinner

Lumin Story — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 23:49:22 +0000

This handsome young man is Jeremiah. Friday was a long day at work, I didn’t get a lunch. After leaving the barn around 9 I stopped by the McDonalds in Reading, Oh to grab some dinner. I ordered my food but realized as I got to the window to pay, I had left my wallet at work.

I told this young man to cancel my order. His response was ”it’s ok ma’m I got you “ he then took his wallet out and paid for my meal. What an amazing young man! We hear so much about what’s wrong with the world I had to share a little of what is right. I am just now posting this because I wanted his permission and I wanted to repay him for his kindness.

I asked him if I could hug him and told him to keep being who he is because he is an amazing person. He didn’t know how tired I was or that I hadn’t eaten or even if he would be repaid but he didn’t even bat an eye and just acted.

Credit: Aundrea Duncan

Clearing Off Snow for Hospital Workers

Lumin Story — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 02:40:39 +0000

A ten-year old and a friend spent the storm cleaning snow off the cars of essential workers so that when their shift ended, they could return straight home to their families. This kind gesture was not only greatly appreciated, but reminded these hospital workers that their work does not go unnoticed. A hospital never gets breaks, and is always available to the public 24/7 every single day of the year. So to acknowledge that hard work, not to mention the risk all these healthcare workers are taking during this pandemic, is a beautiful thing. And all the more so, when it was two kids who were expressing their thanks.

Hair with a Purpose

Lumin Story — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 05:07:37 +0000

8-year-old Thomas Moore made a decision. He was gonna grow his hair out. He wanted to have long hair. And as the hair grew and grew, young Thomas became quite a spectacle at school. Some would point, some would laugh. But some knew the real reason behind Thomas growing his hair out so long.

One day sometime before, he walked up to his mom, and she was watching a video. It was a video about a 5-year-old girl with cancer, and because of all her chemotherapy treatments, she had lost all of her hair. And that touched Thomas very deeply, and he started asking his mom a lot of questions.

He learned that cancer was a very painful thing and the treatments for it can be painful as well… and the hair loss was part of that process. His mom also told Thomas that some kind people will grow their hair out real long so they can eventually have it cut and donate it for wigs to be made from it. And those wigs were made special for those who have lost their hair.

It was at that very moment that Thomas made his decision to grow his hair long… to someday donate it to help a cancer victim. And it grew and grew, until Thomas was told he had grown enough hair to make two full wigs. And recently, he had his hair cut… all 17 inches of it. And the salon lady who cut his hair told him that he actually had enough hair for THREE full wigs.

And young Thomas was ecstatic. He was so happy he could do his part to help those stricken with cancer who have lost their hair from the treatments. And now Thomas is 12 years old, and he’s strongly considering growing his hair out once again.

Photo courtesy: Twitter/@storkpatrol

A 15-Year-Old Loving Neighbor

Lumin Story — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:42:10 +0000

I just want to take a moment and recognize this sweet fella that lives across the street from my parents. He checks on them every day and has grown to love and care for them deeply. He rides with Dad to the store, helps him shop and brings the groceries in.. he cuts the grass and whatever they may need. Not many 15 yr olds would take the time to care and be there for elderly neighbors.

When he saw Mom today he busted out crying and just held her tight. What a blessing and just wanted to pass on something heartwarming instead of the sad news we see and hear every day…

Credit: Tiki Edwards

A Positive Work Ethic

Lumin Story — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 03:56:19 +0000

This 14 year old boy came by the house with a lawnmower wanting to mow our lawn for $5. Well…me being a hustler I had to ask this kid why you mowing lawns?

He replied with… “I’d like to take my girlfriend to lunch tomorrow and I don’t have enough money.” So we’ve been going door to door getting him business and he busted his a*s mowing lawns and sweeping sidewalks and made enough to take her to lunch and get her flowers.

I’m so happy this still exists… Hope is still alive for the future generation and our sons and daughters. I’m impressed by whoever is raising this boy, great job!!! Thanks to you guys that also noticed and pitched in on the cause to building our future men!

Credit: Ryan Cox

Raising a Kind Kid

Lumin Story — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 03:55:47 +0000

My son turned 18 in lockdown, has done Year 12 in lockdown and what he has missed out on this year (along with so many other children of Class of 2020) is heartbreaking. But there is a little girl who lives across the road from us who has been learning remotely whilst her single Mum recovers from a broken foot and works long hours from home. This little girl (who is the sweetest kid) has taken a liking to my son and some afternoons when school finishes she knocks on the door and asks if he’ll play basketball with her. So he spends half an hour with her, praising her skills and how great she is. Yesterday as she knocked he sighed as he got up to go, I told him that he could say no if he didn’t feel like it. He replied “Why? She’s 5 and can’t play with her friends. I feel sorry for her”.

All I’ve ever wanted my kids to be, is kind. I think my wish has been granted

Source: Cassie Woolley / Facebook

A 10-Year-Old’s Note

Lumin Story — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 03:51:02 +0000

Melbourne is currently in full lockdown. But look what one elderly neighbor found when she opened her door. Her 10-year-old neighbor left this along with flowers.