Strokes from Other Pens

I’m writing this letter to thank the kind people of Haxtun who supported my family a few years ago when Levi had some trouble at school, when he verbally contended with one who was engaged in some repeated bullying of one of Levi’s siblings. It’s hard to believe it’s been over two years since the safe to tell line was called regarding a rumor that my son was a possible school shooter.

You all remember the fear and upheaval of that time? Remember our account of Levi going to be checked out by mental health? We were highly encouraged to seek out further counseling and at the conclusion of that counseling, the counselor told us that four other children had come to see him at other times regarding school shooter accusations. Of the children that the counselor had seen up to that point, four out of five were miscommunications and the children were not a risk to others. Levi was a miscommunication. However, only Levi was able to reintegrate into our community. What I mean is that only Levi was accepted by his peers and the community of Haxtun.

The counselor credited this good outcome with two things: one was our letter to the editor which detailed exactly what happened so rumors could be squashed and two, the vast majority of you, our kind Haxtun neighbors, who after being apprised of the truth of the matter, rose up in support of our family. You acted!

We still live in a world where we need to be vigilant regarding school violence and there is still a problem with bullying. But, just as words can tear people down, words can provide a bridge toward reconciliation and forgiveness. Levi was given a chance to continue in school, in the community, with you — he was given a chance to belong. He has flourished and is now a graduating Bulldog. He will now go on to serve us in a bigger way, as a U.S. Marine, with Basic Training scheduled to begin in June. He is a Haxtunite. You all can be proud of him, and of yourselves, you who supported the Wright family!

Thank you for forgiving us, and for sharing words of life with the Wright family. You who supported us know who you are: you sent us letters, cards, etc. in the mail, you approached us personally to give us encouragement. You lifted us up when we were at a low point, you encouraged us with your words. You trusted that my son was not a threat to the community and you gave him, Asher and my whole family a second chance to succeed. Some of you who wrote letters to us were never thanked. But I’m thanking all of you now, in all sincerity.

Thank you for giving him (and all of us) the chance to prosper here, in our home, beloved Haxtun.

Gratefully,

Steven Wright,

Haxtun

Editor’s note: A portion of this letter is a paid advertisement.