Horrible news on Friday. I read about the double homicide in the paper last week, never dreaming it would hit close to home for me. Friday morning, I was reading about the APD arresting two men, and the name of one jumped right out at me. .....Yrineo 'Neal' Flores.
I had Neal in the Behavior class his 6th, 7th and 8th grade years at Clack. For the eight years I taught BAC, he was my favorite. Even after he went on to Cooper, he made it a point to stay in touch by calling me in my classroom. Once he graduated, he would come by school to see me, and keep me up to date on his life. He had so much potential; he was bright, good looking,and had a kind heart...but his home life was not the greatest. Neal even came by to see me in December, seven months ago, the day before school was out.
For the last several days, I have been beating myself up...was there more I could have done? Anything I could have said? He will either get the death penalty, or spend the rest of his life in prison. I have been devastated since Friday. Today, during the sermon at church, I realized that Neal wouldn't have stayed in touch if he didn't know I loved him. He wouldn't have talked to me about God, if he didn't want to know more, all those years ago . He used to ask me to pray for him. Maybe I dropped the ball on that one....out of sight - out of mind. I talked to Phil about it at the end of church...I don't know if I should send him a note in jail, or just leave it be. Do I tell him that not only do I still love him in spite of what he did, that God does, as well? Or do I just let it all go?
I just pray that Neal will find my Jesus while he is locked away. That Neal will ask for forgiveness, be healed from his addictions, and learn to live for Him. Neal will be punished, I just pray he will become a child of God before he dies.
MY FAMILY
love my sons!!
About Me
- sftc824
- I am a 12 year old in a 50ish body! I like walking in the rain, laughing, hanging out with friends, and riding my bike through the countryside. Jesus is the love of my life, and there for me always. I have been divorced for almost 19 years, and raised my sons from age 2 and 4 to their present ages of 24 and 21! God has blessed me tremendously through the years with His guidance and love. Things are not always easy, but I know that He is always with me, holding my hand, cradling me in his arms, and sometimes carrying me through the difficulties of daily life as a teacher, mom, daughter, friend, lawn mower, house cleaner, aunt, sister, tutor, (talk about a runon sentence) and techie for my campus.
Helen's flowers
Collage of flowers from my favorite aunt's home!
8 comments:
My vote? You go. Find out if you are allowed to bring him an easy-to-read Bible, like the New Living Translation or The Message.
And then you pray. You send letters of encouragement, with the school's return address.
OTOH, you do NOT need to give him your home address, personal phone numbers, or email addresses. (People know how to get a hold of teachers during the school day; they do NOT need to get a hold of single female teachers at night. Ever.)
I'm so sorry that this happened...sorry for the murderers, sorry for the murdered, sorry for the police who had to witness a horrific crime scene, sorry for all families involved, and especially sorry for those two little girls...
Sharon, have you ever considered becoming a foster mom? Someday, when my sister and her children move out, I will have the room to share with kids who need a safe place...and it's definitely on my mind...
Guess what!! God worked it all out for me, ahead of time.
Neal's lawyer is a dear friend from my church. He has already told Neal, from me, that I still love him, despite what he did, and I will be praying for him.
God is good!!
After I heard about the situation my brother got himself into, I wanted to look up more information on the web. But decided not to, knowing the majority of what I would find would either be false or twisted information regarding the tragic nightmare. And most of all, I didn't want to get caught up reading all the comments by immature bloggers.
Almost a year later I find myself bored and google-ing my brother's name. Sure enough, like I expected, I found mainly immature and negative comments. Then, unexpectedly I stumble onto your blog.
I would never have thought that I would find a post that wasn't bashing Neal. And I didn't know my brother still kept in touch with, well honestly, anyone. It was nice to read something about my brother that I didn't know. Your post put a smile on my face and made my day(maybe week).
Thank you- Jerami Flores
Jerami,
I loved your brother, as I said, he was my favorite! And I also remember you! What are you two years younger?
I am so sad for you and your family. Neal had so much potential...he wanted to be a Navy Seal! When he was at Cooper, he would call me from his class there. When he was older, he would drop by Clack. I continue to pray for him and for your family. Your older sister went to McMurry, and last I heard, she was in law school. Then there was Tiana...and you. I pray you are doing well!
I am not the only teacher that loved Neal at Clack! Do you remember Mrs. VanHouten? And Ms. Merrill? They both were as upset as I was when Neal was arrested.
I'm glad I put a smile on your face...know that Neal will always be my favorite, despite what he did.
Stay in touch! God bless you, Jerami....
Wow, Sharon, that is so neat! I never had Neal in class although I remember him. I had Tiana in class. As a teacher you always wonder if you did the right thing/said the right thing or could have done more when one of "your kids" does something horribly wrong. You showed Neal love and acceptance and that is evident by his return visits. That is so cool for his brother to be able to read your kind words when his world has also been altered by Neil's actions. You are being a kind and loving Christian just as Jesus taught us to live and forgive. Thanks for sharing.
I am younger by one year. And yes I remember Ms. Merrill. Unless I am mistaken, she was my 7th grade science teacher. Mrs. VanHouten, I remember the name, but can not put a face to it.
Everyone but my mother lives out of town. Wish I lived closer to visit Neal more often. But every time I go to Abilene, it feels like everyone is looking at me and knows that I am Neals brother.
It's funny that you mentioned that Neal wanted to be a Navy Seal. That is one thing I will always remember. I actually tried to send him a book about Navy Seals, but couldn't. County Jail mail regulations only allow soft back. So I sent him a soft back about Army Special Forces. haha
Just heard from Neal's attorney. His trial begins August 16th. PRAYERS for Neal, Jerami, and entire family....
the day after his birthday
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