When I was younger, a friend's mom said I was an idealist. This means I'm not a realist. Fair enough. i had very idealistic views of the world. However, when an idealist realizes that her ideals are probably not realistic, does she become a realist? Some do. Some become cynics. I hate being cynical. I'm going to try to be more optimistic; I'm working on it.
Griff, what a neat person you are, seriously. Those kids are very lucky to have you in their lives. One thing I've always tried to believe (before I became really cynical)
is that no, not everyone has been given the sight to make it out of a bad situation. People would say "they should be able to make their lives better, get out of poverty, out of the crime-ridden neighborhoods...it's their choice" and point to many who have done so. I always said "because they had someone in their life, one person, who showed them the way." Not everyone has that. You are that person to many.