I looked up from my computer to see these big brown eyes peering over my desk.
"I'm scared" she said. I motioned her to come around the desk to me. She dropped her school bag and then her lunch bag as she came to me... the hat, the scarf and the mitts dropped at my feet as she curled into my lap - buried her head in my chest and sobbed.
"I'm scared" she said again. "I'm scared my mommy's going to go to the sky and I won't ever see her again"
Her mom is dying of cancer - in palliative care - and I had nothing to offer her except to hold her tight to me... to bury my head in her hair and whisper "I know you're scared - it's ok to be scared. I am here any time you need to let the scary out"
We sat hanging on to each other as the sun set.
Oh God please save the little children...
ReplyDeleteHUGE HUGS for you too...
If no one else thanks you, let me be the one. Thank you for being there for that child.
How sad, morningstar. Thank the good Lord you are there to give comfort and a sense of security to the young child. Many times teachers are the one steady and caring support in young lives.
ReplyDeleteWhen it was announced I was retiring, a young 5th grader(I had mentored K-5) came to my office. Giving me a big hug he looked up and said "Mrs. X you can't leave yet. My sister starts kindergarten next year and she needs you."
Sending hugs and good thoughts to you and the little girl.
Merry Christmas
Joyce
Poor little kid. That strikes me as very wrong. (Real often is though.)
ReplyDeleteGood all over you, morningstar. Good all over you.
(((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteFor the dear little girl AND for you.
So glad she has you to help her with the 'scary'.
The poor child. I imagine it's probably hard for her at home to express herself the way she needs because everyone else there is also grieving.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sad, but it lifts my spirits to see that there are those in the world who try to make a difference with children - even if it's a simple hug.
sarah
I too am so glad she had you there to comfort her. Today this is for you morningstar......
ReplyDelete"A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank...but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child." -- Forest Witcraft
You said just the right thing. Well done.
ReplyDeleteK
Poor baby... Thank you for being a safe place for her. It is one of those things that really isn't in the "job description."
ReplyDeletehugs, swan
It warms my heart to know people like you are out there. :)
ReplyDelete