I got back home and did a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded it, fed the other two littles and then just flopped myself on the couch and scrolled through Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. That was my day. Pretty boring. Time went by really slow. I couldn't wait to pick the boys up and hear all about their days.
Finally 3:00 was here. Time to pick up the boys. I couldn't wait to hear all about their field trips. I'm waiting in the pick up line when I see the boys coming around the corner of the school building. Charlee is smiling; Steven not so much. I could tell he was fighting back the tears as he walked to the truck.
He got in and I immediately asked him what was wrong. Moms know when something is wrong with their babies. The tears began to flow as he told me what had happened on his field trip. This was not what I had expected to hear. Not at all! My son had something embarrassing happen to him and one boy he thought was his friend decided to call him names and make fun of his accident. Some of the classmates joined in with him.
I parked the truck. My heart was aching as he shared all the details. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be strong for him. Comfort him and let him know it was going to be okay. My little guy was hurting and humiliated. Kids can be cruel. He didn't want to go back to school and I didn't want to send him back. As a mom what should I do?
I got out of the truck and made my way to the school office. I couldn't fight back the tears anymore. Tears flowed as I asked to speak to the principal. I didn't know what I was going to say or do as I waited for her in her office. Not sure what she would say or do. She walked in and the ugly tears came.
She asked me to have a seat and she pulled up a chair next to me. I shared with her what had happened. I know how I was as an administrator and advocate for kids; but not everyone has that same passion and love for kids. I'm so thankful their principal does. She didn't brush it off as no big deal, but handled the situation with sensitivity and genuine concern. Such an important quality to have as an administrator.
I walked out of her office with peace. Confident that even though my kids will have to have days like today; they will become stronger in their faith because of these trials. This is part of life. I can't shelter them from life's hurts as much as I wished that I could. But, they have a support system. Not just in me or the faculty. In their classmates, too!
On the way home we talked some more. I encouraged him to tell me what he enjoyed about today. He told me about his friend that told him, "Don't worry man. He's just a jerk." He told me about how much fun he had swimming in the river. How he made a new friend that isn't able to feel his legs. He shared how him and his newest closest friend helped him swim and walk across the river. My heart began to smile. Even though one kid decided to be mean, he revealed to my son who his true friends are.
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