Boold
Michelle on Jan 15 2007 at 2:14 pm | Filed under: The Personal, The Political
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In spite of my constant discontent and scheming, I know I am right here, in this very apartment, for a reason. I think I have mentioned before that foster care is something that I am interested in. Interestingly, I am getting to experience it on a minature level of sorts.
My home has become the “after-school/weekend” hangout for the kiddos around here, three in particular. One of the kiddos is the stepchild of the man upstairs who beats the woman upstairs. Some of you may remember that story. Another child lives up the street. His parents don’t know me and I don’t know them. I have to practically kick the kiddo out of the house when it time for Sage to go to bed.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know why the kids are here. It is simple–it is a better place than being at home. That makes me sad. These kids raise themselves, basically. Today, I took them with us to see Night in the Museum, which everyone thought was hilarious, even Sky, although he wouldn’t admit it. (I was watching him crack up in the dark.) One of the kids, Freddie, asked me what the movie ticket was. He is eight years old.
Last night, I was cleaning the house, and I picked up this paper, written in bright red marker, off of the couch. (I would scan it, but the scanner isn’t working. Also, does anyone know how to make the font red in WordPress?)
one
boold
boold
boold
boold
bboold
It turns out that J’Christopher, who is nine and should be able to spell this word, did it. When he realized that I knew it was gang-related, he apologized over and over. I didn’t make a big deal–it would have been too teacher-like, and I can’t be in teacher mode 24/7. I just explained that he would get in trouble if he did it at school. Who is schooling him in this? Step-father? Dad? Obviously, it is a shame that whoever it is spends more time making sure he “represents” than learning how to read or spell. He will come over and pick up a Dr. Suess book, and read it slowly and carefully, very proud to show me that he can read. Thing is, he should be reading chapter books by now. I had to resist the urge to teach him how to spell “blood” and to tell him that it should be capitalized in this instance.
The whole situation makes me sad and happy at the same time. Sad for the obvious reasons, but happy to have a purpose in living here. It is the most satisfying feeling in the world to make the kids cookies, take them to the park and generally give them a safe place to hang out.
Of course, you know me, always worrying about the future. What will the next three or four years bring to these children?
In tribute to this day, I offer you this quote:
ITK code for Singing The Sky:
Wow! I had never heard that quote. My friends mom was the one who took in the strays in her neighborhood. Once she even bathed a neighbor kid. I don’t think many people would have the courage to do that today. But the child was dirty and needed a bath, so my friends mom popped her in the tub and got the job done. We need more neighbors who provide a safety net for stray kids. I am glad that you are able to do this in your neighborhood.
I think it’s important just to do what you can at that moment. It’s nearly impossible to plan, predict or control the future! And I thought he was trying to spell BOLD. What a fool I am.
Why do I identify with the phrase ‘creatively maladjusted’?
You are doing good work–and that you recognize it in the moment is amazing.
Thank you for the story and the quotation. And, Margaret, I thought the same thing!
Yup, I’m obviously a pampered ignoramous, too! “Bold” indeed!
I can’t help but think that your interaction with these kids will make a difference. Just the fact that they seek you ought shows a need for something positive in their lives.
(I had a feeling Sky would enjoy that movie).
Uhm, that’s “seek you out”. Duh.
I just found this beautiful - impacting these kids lives the way you are. It’s so sad they’re not getting this from their own family.
Much as it’s sad that you have to deal with stuff like this, I’m also glad that gang stuff is not just a problem in the Big Bad City. After all, we’ve gotten criticism about raising a child in said Big Bad City.
It is good to embrace the purpose of where you are, to embrace life right now and to know that it has meaning. You are showing those kids a different existence and that will never leave them.
Much peace & love, JP