A Lens to View the World With
Sometimes a child with special needs has the most wonderful lens to view the world through. I know a thirteen year old boy at school, who is just such a child. He has a gentle perspective, and just sends out such powerful love to the whole world.
Yesterday was our last day with students. It was one of those stereotypical days you might see in the movies: child running around with glee in their step, Santa hats atop their head, ready to hit the pavement and pound it to the big yellow bus. Ready to run away from school for two weeks. And yet, at the end of the day, after the assembly, after the final carol was sung and the bell rang, among the sea of eager anticipating faces stampeding through the hallways who did I see? One tear stained face, gulping in gasps of air. I approached him with concern, immediately worrying that someone was bullying him. How dare they hurt this sweet sensitive soul. And yet, I was wrong.
“It’s just that I hate the end of the school. I will miss my teachers so much. And it’s two whole weeks!”
He didn’t even want to be comforted, he left the building sobbing quietly to himself. I was touched.
How can you not be moved though? Most of our kids, though I love them, are full of sarcasm and wit and were jumping to leave us behind. And yet one boy didn’t want to say goodbye.
Today, I feel like maybe I was that boy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. I love having two weeks off. I love sleeping in. But I still hate good-byes, even though they are small and temporary.
I stayed with a friend at work until finally the caretaker kicked us out. The last four staff members walked out together in the grey dim light of 3:45 winter light. And I felt sad. I don’t like saying goodbye to my comrades. I enjoy our school family.
Maybe I’m emotional, dramatic and a little pathetic to miss everyone already. Even I have to admit, the cynical side of me is rolling its eyes at the sensitive side.
I guess part of what the holidays are about are counting your blessings. One of the blessings I have is the staff whom I consider family. The lens I’m viewing the world with today is borrowed from a sweet soul at school.