My son is the so-called "Bravest Little Yankee."

This started as what my husband thought was a cute little human interest story that New York City news would be interested in.

Instead, it's turned into a nightmare in Peachtree City for two families.

My husband, George, not using the best of judgment, e-mailed the New York Post when Brendan was told [by his classroom teacher] to remove his Yankee t-shirt.

What could have been the most innocent of situations has turned into a major first amendment controversy. There are times in all of our lives that we wish we could turn back the hands of time, but not more than George Dunwoody.

Since his little "cute story" hit the streets, Brendan's teacher has been deluged with threats, harassment and sleepless nights. This is a person that received notoriety without asking for it.

We have been misquoted in the press as having been angry and upset when that could not be further from the truth.

I believe that, along with freedom of speech, in a teacher's classroom, there must be limits. Yes, wearing a Yankees shirt on Braves day was not a big deal, but if she felt she was defusing a potential volatile situation, she needed to be the judge of that.

Does the Constitution cover a child's right to bear arms, like in school? No!

Granted, this is not that extreme, but there was a reason for her decision. I'm glad that she's a good enough teacher that Brendan learned what freedom of speech is.

Does she need to suffer for her decision to make him change? NO!

If the parents of this child did not have a problem with the school's decision, why should the rest of the world? Are we all so responsible for others' actions that we judge, accuse and then pass sentence so easily? Why are people calling her house harassing her; why does she now feel that her once peaceful life in our community has forever been ruined, never to feel comfortable again?

Will my son ever be able to go to school without people, human in nature, labeling him the troublemaker?

I can't tell you how happy I was upon learning that she was going to be his teacher this year. Several years ago she was instrumental in helping Brendan in school. I've contacted her at her home on many occasions to ask for help and she never once made me feel as though her time as an educator was restricted to school hours.

Why do I now feel as though, single-handedly, I am responsible for all the pain she is suffering? What started out as a "cute little story" to show loyalty to our "home team" has gone so far awry that on many occasions this weekend I've had to stop and ask myself, is this reality, or is this a dream?

We are very good people. In our hearts, we would never intentionally hurt another human being. We may not agree with everything but in some wonderful eight years at Oak Grove Elementary, we have had a reputation of being a caring, loving, interested family unit. I now feel we are viewed as monsters.

Not because we directly went out to destroy a teacher's reputation but because our country, so full of wonderful people, is so quick to judge, cannot see the humor behind a situation.

This could have been a "cute little story" if people could have had the respect for others' feelings to maybe keep their opinions to themselves.

With all the drama in our world, was this so important? With so many big issues in our schools, was this the worst thing that a teacher has ever done?

I think we've all lost sight of a big important issue. We are all part of a large family. It's called the human race. We all don't have to love each other; we certainly will never always agree with each other, but what we all need to work on is to respect each other.

Yes, no one wishes they could turn back the hands of time more than George Dunwoody and myself. I feel that Michelle Serbun feels as though her life will not get back to normal. It will, but she could never look at us the same.

I'm not saying that I blame her; I'm sorry that this happened. Yes, we are all fortunate to have the Constitution and freedom of speech but let's pick our battles a little more intelligently.