Okay, so I did tell them, You are good. But, make no mistake - you are naughty! You have made some naughty decisions, but I am here to tell you that you are loved. I'm just glad I'm an old lady and not in high school. Why, you know that research shows that teens should not be up until 10 am? If it were up to me, school wouldn't start before noon and it wouldn't be six hours either!
You could hear the collective sigh of relief. But they weren't going to hand me good behavior on a platter. Not just for a few words. Time would tell if they would trust me, but for the moment they might listen to me. I mean, they just might.
The real story is that I am a retired teacher and went back to school to become a therapist at the tender age of 58. I was so excited until I could not even get an interview. I secretly bemoaned the fact that I was in my sixties and too old for others to even want to speak to me. So, as everyone who knows me, I am not a quitter. I found a very inexpensive office and borrowed the money to furnish it and put up my shingle. But not taking insurance was a liability, so I had a few clients, but they had no money. How would I pay for this office and insurance and supervision and all that stuff no one knows about?
The idea to substitute in a little district near me came to me. . . . I could sub for 2 or 3 days maximum a month and pay for my little business. That's when I met these kids....the rest is history. I'm starting my third year with them and promised I would stay until that group of freshmen graduate from high school.
This second year was better, but still very challenging. The good thing is that I understand and the bad thing is that I can't undo years of stress in a short time. It takes patience and a long time to help....there are amazing break throughs, which I will share through this blog. One is Miklo, who gave me permission to use his full name. Miklo was one of those who was not doing school two years ago. He was not doing well in school and, generally, hated it. He was depressed. This past year his behavior really was wonderful. He admitted he wasn't as stressed as before. Praise the Lord, I say! And one day, he looks up at me and says,
Why don't you write a book about it?
He is pointing to the words my daughter in law made for me to put on the wall - those very words
I am safe. I am good. I am loved.
So I did. I wrote the book. It's a picture book for teens and adults. It's a pretty cool book with amazing pictures created by a young woman from Ukraine living in Paris, France. As we speak she is still working on the finishing pictures. We are excited. I am one who can't keep secrets. I would love to give them each a copy of the book and $50. when they graduate, but I can't keep the book from them that long. I guess we'll just have to have a grand party and I will give them the book this September. Ahhh, I think they will love it. I hope you love it, too!
Remember to use those words and use them frequently. They do make a difference!
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| Students who feel "unconditional love." |
