I had a 6th grade boy cry today. He's new this year (to both being in A school and being at THIS school), it was the end of the day and he was packing up to go home. I went over to help him keep moving (i.e.: I had 39 other kids that needed to be dismissed) and he looked up at me with moist eyes and said, 'I don't know why I'm crying, but I am.' So I slid down to his level and talked to him. Was it all of school? Or the homework? Or something else today? 'I don't know. I don't know why I'm crying,' he repeated. I told him how he's been hit with so many new things...all at once. And when we're overwhelmed, crying is pretty normal. We talked a bit more, he gave me a hug and off he went.
I was definitely talking more to myself than my student! There have been so many times in the last few weeks I feel fine, and then: bam, feel like crying. I haven't, but I have sure felt like it. I haven't learned any real Thai, I can't eat the food (almost all of which contains gluten), I'm always lost (I guess that one isn't so new), I don't have hot water to wash dishes, and I have no idea how we will afford to outfit a kitchen when we get our own place. These are not deal breakers. We will learn our way through (except the getting lost part) and be fine. Life here is good and we are both glad to be here! But in these beginning stages, sometimes life feels a little overwhelming. And sometimes I just feel like crying, with or without a reason...
How wonderful that you made that little boy feel so much better. Love you......... Grandma Ann
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Such a deep, personal experience while looking into pools of pure innocence... I am frequently reminded of the moment in our driveway as we were discussing misplaced luggage and with puddles in your eyes you turned to Ray "...as long as we have each other, we can get through anything."
ReplyDeletexoxo
Mel you continue to touch so many hearts!! Barb had her last day today and when she got her shirt it took her all of two seconds to realize that you had signed it before you left and I think her heart sunk a little and then was lifted so high, undoubtedly her favorite part of the shirt!! I miss you each and everyday, coffee especially is not the same :-(. But I continue to be convinced that where you are you're needed more, and I was simply blessed to have the opportunity to know you!! Love you! Jillian
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. You really are touching so many lifes and having your life touched forever by the children you work with too. Go ahead and have a good cry when ever you really need it. I do think it helps so.
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