Monday, May 08, 2006

What a difference a year makes...

Last year at this time, it was all about getting him thru it. It was about finishing out the year and getting him OUT of there. It was about saving him, about not losing what was left of him before that spark disappeared completely. Last year, it was about preserving the last bit of self-worth my son had left. That's what his last school did to him... they took away his worth, his self-love, and turned him into a kid who thought he was less than the others, who thought he didn't matter, who thought everyone would be better off without him.

He was 8.

Even scarier, when I talked to the principal of that school about something that was going on, she said she couldn't know everything that went on in her school. Hm... that's odd because I was pretty sure that was her job. My mistake. No wonder the bullying that turned m y son into a shell of the amazing kid I know him to be, was allowed to go on. Encouraged, even, from what I know of the teacher involved.

This year, he is a different kid. He is happy. And while he's not doing as well as I'd like, academically, I'll take it because he's back. He is back to being the smart-alecky, practical joker, the kid with mischief in his eyes... he is back to being my boy. He told me recently, "I love my life!!" and I can't imagine words sweeter... not now, not from him. He's got friends, he's happy with his activities, his acting has gone a long way towards bringing him all the way back and that is priceless.

Thank you to his new school, his new teacher, for what you've done for my little boy. Thank you thank you thank you, for bringing him back. His grades might not be something you're proud of, but trust me, you've given him something much more important. You've given him himself back... thank you.

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