Boy, Interrupted
1 Dec
As an educator and more importantly as a school disciplinarian, I encounter the good, the bad, and the ugly on a daily basis. Occasionally, I encounter the miserable. Today was a day I will never forget as long as I work with young people. A student I have grown quite fond of over the past few months came in with such a saddened face and asked if he could talk to me. He is one of my student aides, and I have developed a relationship with him over his attendance issues the last couple of months. His mother was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer shortly after school started. He was missing school because he thought it was his responsibility as the youngest and only child at home to care for her. Once inside my office, the tears began to flow and turned into sobs as he told me that his mother had passed over the weekend and that he was the one who found her. Within seconds, I knew that I had to do something to comfort this young man, but what was I going to say that he had not already heard. All I could think to do was offer him a hug and ask if he was going to be able to make it through the day. His response was unbelievably mature and an obvious credit to his mother’s strength and love: “I have to be at school. I cannot let this tragedy keep me from making something of myself. I owe that to my Momma. She would expect nothing less.”
After a short discussion about where he was staying and who he would be living with, I learned that his mother had knew her time was coming soon and made arrangements for him to remain in Las Vegas at the same school through at least the end of the school year. The funeral will be later this week in another state. Before he left my office he asked if he could prearrange his absences and get his assignments from his teachers, my response was “Of course, you can. You can do anything you set your mind to do.” Without blinking an eye, he said, “I know I can.”
May this young man’s mother rest in peace and may he continue on to be the success in life that she believed he can be.
Hugs to you and him.
Oh….now I’m crying. That poor child. I cannot believe how mature he is. His mother must have been amazing for him to turn out so well….
Give him a hug from me. XOXO
Not sure what to say. Keep an eye on him, let him know that you care. It will make a big difference in his life. The worst that could happen if you do that is everyone’s doing it and he just wants his time to himself.
Jigme Datse
*tear* That poor boy….but what an amazing “man” he has become.
Please let him know that he is in my prayers
I am really sorry to hear this. What a tragedy! What will happen after this year? Will he have to move? Poor thing.
Now i feel like a complete dumbass for being upset tonight.
You’re an amazing person, darlin, and kudos to you for offering him that extra bit of support.
that kid’s braver than i’ll ever be. thanks for being there for him.
What a tragic story. What a extraordinary young man. Hugs and prayers to you both.
Wow!!!
I commend this young man and pray that he continues to be strong.
Thanks for sharing.
He’s one of the good ones, and the reason we keep doing what we do. Here’s hoping that he continues to find the love and support he needs to live up to his own expectations.
Love
Chili
I have to echo Mrs. Chili – he’s one of the ones that makes everything educators do so worth while. He’s blessed to have you and to feel comfortable enough with you to let all of his defenses go.
Wow. Started off my morning with tears. My son asked what was wrong and I told him, “Mommy was reading something about a very strong kid…” and I told him. His response:
“Mom… that kind of strong you can’t get with weights.” He’s so very right. I want to adopt that kid… stupid uterus.
I love that kid’s heart and spirit.
What a touching and sad story. Thanks for sharing it.
Okay, I’m crying here. That poor child. He is lucky to have someone like you in his life as well.
That’s a real tearjerker right there. Sounds like he will be able to make good use of any help you can give him.
I hadn’t expected to read this when I started reading this morning. This breaks my heart from a mother’s standpoint, but also from the voice of experience in losing one’s mother so early to cancer.
God bless the boy. I he has knows that strength also comes from allowing yourself to feel and express loss.
grr I hope he knows that strength also comes from …
It’s hard to type coherently when tears fog up my glasses.
On those seemingly thankless days when hiding beneath your desk is your strongest impulse, remember *this* is precisely why you are a gift to your profession.
That is so sad. I’ll say a prayer for him. Hugs to you and the boy.
How awesome that you work at a place that can nurture this boy as he goes forward from this tragedy.
Thanks for sharing something beautiful – I shall keep this boy in my thoughts and prayers!
With help from people like you he will be.