MK forum

...and I did not just "put" my parents out there, after my conversation with them this afternoon on the phone reading the different threads and comments, they too feel burdened for those they were in charge of in the dorms. As one person posted we did not have the sexual abuse in the 70's (at least that we know of) but if anyone was offended/scarred by their response to any situation, I know they would like to hear of it and make amends as much as is possible. I read to mom what I wrote and she was pleased.

My parents have "grown up" and realized that NTM is not "god" and that there were/are some policies/routine ways of doing things that are founded on man and not because the Bible says it must be done so and were not necessarily the best manner in which to do things. I told them that it is sad that all these MK's realized things as kids that the grown ups had to grow up to learn!

@ pretty: perhaps my language was inartful. I wasn't implying you "outed" your parents or anything akin to that. My point was merely to commend you for posting what you did and for a willingness to address the pain many have been and are dealing with.

And it was taken as such. I just added for anyone else reading to know that my parents have also changed in their views of the "status quo" and are not oblivious to things any longer and not ones to support everything just because that is the way NTM does things. I think that it is important for anyone (who uses their yearbook to know who I am) who may have been under them in the dorm in the 70's to know that so that they can maybe feel more free if they feel they need to address anything with them. You don't know how relieved I was to know they had "grown up" by the time we had our NTM talks!

Good night, guys, if you get a chance, here´s a song for everyone for the night - it may not be everyone´s style, but we can all break the mode once in awhile (: Abração to all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wOhVh2bct8

As the thread of this conversation has to do with memories, I thought I post a not so goo memory I had from my time at Via. It was sparked by something Pav mentioned regarding Scott Weisel. I know Scott had a temper, but I also know he broke down a lot of walls there and stirred the pot in a good way, when he and his wife came to teach at Via. My memory is of him standing up for me:

The high school choir had try-outs for solo singing parts for the upcoming Christmas cantata. I think I was in 10th grade that year, and so I tried out. I wasn't a great singer, but I had range. I was selected to sing a solo part opposite of a female, who also had a solo part. When it was announced that I had been given one of the parts, much of the high school attending the music practice that day broke out in laughter. I was mortified. Yet I can still remember Scott standing there in the middle aisle of the T.I.M. building and angrily saying, "What is the problem with that?!" In that moment, even though my heart had broken once again, and I felt so unacceptable in the eyes of others, Scott made me feel as if somebody, somewhere, would actually stand up for me.

I don't think he ever realized what his actions that day, in that moment, did for me. Did my life change at Via after that? . . .No. Was I ever "Joe Cool"? . . .No. But it helped . . .in that moment . . .it was exactly what I needed an adult to do for me--be on my side!

Thanks, Scott . . .wherever you are.

Publius, that's awesome. Thanks for sharing something positive. We need to hear those things too.

That´s so good to hear!

Publius, I was probably one of the shallow, disrespectful, jerks that laughed. I'm very, very sorry.....

@ Via: No, you weren't. It was the year after you left. I kinda idolized you when I first came to the field anyway. I remember wanting a jean jacket just like you and definitely wanting the suit you always wore . . . ! LOL (Whatever happened to that suit, by the way?)

Do you remember one night walking back from town to the Land . . .your parents were leaving the next morning along with the girl you were dating at the time. I attempted to reach out and put my hand on your shoulder to commiserate and you pulled away?

We both had walls . . . made tougher each time we had to say "Goodbye". Besides, I've heard your heart much in this forum. For any slight you believe you may have made against me, it's forgiven.