So one thing that made me feel genuinely happy today is the knowledge that I am getting to know--really know--Pisgah kids. It's so refreshing after 2 1/2 years to be able to go to an event and have actual conversations with 'students.' Whether I was at the big tent or in the gymnasium, I was talking with kids...lots of kids. And I love that.
One of my freshman girls was in tears because she got her heart broken and she told me about it. She said, "Mrs. Seals, this boy hurt my feelings." She was being so brave and honest as tears brimmed in her eyes. She is so adorable. I told her to just wait, focus on other things--all the standard things that we adults say to kids who are so desperate to be loved and have a meaningful relationship with a person of the opposite sex far before their time. But of course, they rarely heed our advice. And it's heartbreaking to watch as I know that this little girl has the makings of a brilliant future. I look at her and see nothing but bright lights.
I home someday she sees the same. And most of all, I hope she doesn't settle.
And another favorite moment is a conversation between Beth G and me. I had roamed around the gym a few million times, eaten far more than I should have. (The paninis made by Bonnie Musgrave were out of this world.) And then I decided it was time to head home. But just as I was heading toward the door, I ran into Beth A and Beth G who had just purchased their dinners. So since Beth A needed to work a booth, I sat with Beth G so she wouldn't be sitting alone. (Honestly she undoubtedly wouldn't have been sitting alone...I just used it as an excuse to corral her for myself.) But anyway, we started out just talking about our families and backgrounds but the conversation turned much more personal as we discussed various hot topics and before I knew it, Jace was there and begging to go home as he had a stomach ache. (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that he had eaten a donut, smoothie, and soda for supper. That's what happens when I hand him a bunch of tickets and proclaim, "Have fun!)
I always love conversations with Beth. But tonight as we shared deeply personal stories...well. That gave me joy.
And then when I got home, little Sparty (the kitten--short for Sparticus...named by Roy who wanted to name him Achiles but I said that was far too complicated and I didn't really like the nickname--Kill--so could he please choose another as I got to name Bax and Bella and he was adamant that this kitten was his turn) was so very very very excited to see us. I was washing my face in the bathroom and in his enthusiasm, he fell off the vanity and landed on his face. And then he got too close to his OWN food and Piper, who has started acting like a rabied, starving maniac where food is concerned (they always say dogs act like their owners), snarled and somewhat attacked him. Well, these two incidences were simply too much for Jace to take. He started sobbing--just crying his heart out--and in between hiccups proclaimed, "But I wanted him to have a perfect life!"
“Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.”
This rather sad Jace story made me laugh out loud. And now I still have a smile on my face. Funny, though, isn't that what we all think when we become parents - we just want our kids to have the perfect life. Looking back I wish that I had known how to tell them that life wouldn't be perfect but you can still have a great, joyful, purposeful life by doing "this." I just didn't know what the "this" was then! And now that I think I know, I need to be sure I'm doing it myself!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love seeing that I have a comment. And isn't it the truth. I remember holding Savana and saying to her...I will NEVER do anything to hurt you...Don't think I held up to my end of that bargain. But? We do the best we can with what we know. I just want to have a great, joyful, purposeful life--and show my kids that it can be done...
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