Untitled
I got too attached. But how could you not, knowing these kids’ stories? Anyone with a heart would feel the same.
It’s a shame that you can’t do more. Even with the long, exhausting hours, if you’re able to see one smile, laugh or just sit down with you and chat, you forget about everything else. I was the one who wanted to work with kids. I was the one who left Corporate America. I was the one desperate to get with a nonprofit. Well, I got exactly what I wanted; I just had no idea what else came with it.
Hearing a 19-year-old boy tell you his family has turned their backs on him, and you’re both the dad and big brother he needed and wanted does something to you, especially when you’re not much older than that 19-year-old boy and you realize how truly blessed you are because that could easily be you.
Or a 16-year-old breaks down and cries while telling you about the police beating him up. He runs away, and you go looking for him. Of course, you do. Not because it’s your job, but because you genuinely care about him, and you want to make sure he’s not in harm’s way. You find him and tell him to get in the car. He refuses, not to be defiant but because he pissed his pants and doesn’t wanna mess up your seats. You can’t help but think, “After everything this kid just went through, he doesn’t wanna mess up my leather seats?!” So you turn the hazard lights on, and you follow him home. That’s quite alright with him because he wouldn’t have gotten in if you paid him.
It’s not your money that they need anyway. They need to know that you care about them, whether they want to admit it or not. After all, their own families have all but abandoned them. They must think, “How is it that this perfect stranger cares so much about me?” It’s because you see just what they’re capable of, and it’s something so amazing that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help them see it, too. Of course, they’re gonna put up a fight. Rightfully so. Everyone else has failed them; why set yourself up yet again?
But you understand just where they’re coming from, and you know exactly how to handle it. Not because you’ve been trained appropriately. No, your major and minor have little to do with this. This stems from your parents playing an active role while you were growing up. You weren’t sent off to boarding school to be reared and raised by a stranger. You were always told that you could do anything you wanted. You had someone there to chastise you when needed and someone to help you up when you fell. You paid attention to what your parents did. You knew that you’d want to do the same with your kids. Little did you know, however, that you’d be doing it at the age of 25. And that you’d have nine kids, both black and white, and not impregnate a single female.
You got exactly what you wanted, and apparently, the kids got what they both wanted and needed. There may be times when you wonder, “Why did I ever leave Corporate America?” “What did I do to deserve this?” “Why am I here?” God put you there for a reason, and that’s all you need to know. So all the BS that you may have to put up with right now pales in comparison to the work you’re doing and the reward for doing it.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
- Romans 8:18
Although you could easily find work elsewhere and make a lot more money, you’ve never been one to want to take the easy route. And you’ve certainly never done anything because you wanted to make a lot of money. Taking another job would mean running away and would show just what a coward you are. And a coward, you most definitely are not. Those kids need you, and you’ve begun to realize that those kids mean so much more than you could ever imagine because they are your kids now. No one will ever be able to care for them as you do, and if you did leave, they’d always be on your mind. Why put yourself through that?
The problem you have is not with the kids; it never has been. Your problem is with the others who have failed the kids.
Your problem is with the deadbeat parents and the unconcerned teachers, people who should have played a big role in the beginning.
Your problem is with a judicial system that has allowed America’s youth to be treated as criminals when most are crying out for help.
Your problem is with a nation that has forced so many of our youth through the cracks.
Looks like you have a lot of problems on your hands, so you need to get to work.
Post Title Download: Interpol – “Untitled” from Turn on the Bright Lights
Noir Butterfli said:
I am feeling this post 100%. I have always had a tug at my soul to work with youth and have dedicated my life doing. After years of college which primary goal was to prepare me for this path was finally put to the test I quickly realized it wasn’t realistic. Being able to recall things from my life and approach these kids like I would want to be approached has been the most valuable skill. Like you said just looking back on my upbringing and utilizing that knowledge while dealing with the youth has been very important. Although they may be young they still are human and they still have feelings. I work with young kids in foster care and may people tend to not pay attention to them. Writing them off as uncontrollable, ill mannered and a lost cause. They can state everything wrong with them from doctor text book diagnosis and psychologist. Yet no one really took the time to get down to the child’s level and asked the simple question of what’s wrong? Nobody asks how are you feeling today? Did you eat? They don’t do this because they feel kids cant have an opinion on their life.
Everyday after a long day of work where I have given 150% of myself, fed kids who hadn’t ate all day, brought a kid clothing because she has wore the same outfit all week, consoled several crying kids, been kicked, cursed out, and completed long paperwork. I look back often and ask myself why. First of all I know it is what I am suppose to do but most importantly I want to instill some hope in every kid that there is more to life than what they are experiencing and to give them a chance at a full life like I was given by the positive individuals who surrounded me during my upbringing.
I commend you for giving up your corporate, well paying job to endure a tedious path of enlightening the lives of youth. Your reward will be a personal one and also the name you will leave behind in the mind and hearts of the individuals you touch. Believe me they will remember you.
dakiddesigns said:
As a young adult (I’m 19) who has been through a lot in my short life, I commend you for the responsibility that you’ve taken in these young adult’s lives.. I’ve experienced a lot of issues growing up with my family, and it took a lot of inner strength for me to go off to college. My freshman year was HELL. I didn’t have a strong support system because my family is always in turmoil. I struggled because college was a totally different experience than I really expected. I had friends who tried to help me deal, but sometimes your peers can’t help you deal. It took for me to have a panic attack in my Adviser’s office for me to find someone who could do what I wanted someone to do the entire time: Just Listen
As a young adult who’s had things rough at times, reading this blog post truly inspired me. It shows that there are truly good people in this world who have genuine interest in seeing people succeed in life. Yes, you left cooperate America, but this new task that you have been called to is just a new challenge that’s been placed in front of you. I am glad that you have stepped up to fill in for parents/guardians who aren’t doing their job. You might not have a blood relationship with these kids, but the connection these kids have made with you is just as strong.
toira said:
it isnt easy taking the road less traveled. but then again no one ever said it would be easy. i’ve struggled with the decision lately on making sacrifices. and giving it all up. to take that road. after college, then this working world you find yourself re-evaluating it all. miss the days of volunteering with kids and seeing just a couple of them brighten up when u come in. the impact we as young adults have on these children is powerful. there is much that needs to be done. and its great to hear your story.
C ee Cee said:
I really enjoyed reading this, even though it brought tears to my eyes. I have always said that it truly is everyone’s responsibility to help someone as we travel along the way. Words from my Godmother, Catherine. So that our living will not be in vain. So come on people, for all of you who profess to be a christian, get busy! For there is much work to do, so let’s get busy people!