Today, I saw him approaching me and smiled to say hi, but before I could share a pleasantry, he said, "Hey do you have a minute to talk to me?"
"Of course."
We sat down at the tables in the grand of entrance of Union High School and discussed the pros and cons of joining a branch of the military service. He talked about the things his friends said, the things the recruiters said but offered that he was confused so he talked to his sister Rosa..
Rosa is a student of mine from ten years or more ago. We spent two great years together, and she is most definitely one of my girls. He was only a little boy when she attended high school.
The student continued, "Rosa, told me to talk to you - that you would shoot me straight."
I need my salary to help pay the bills and the mortgage and to keep my son in pants that fit him - but I need those words to fill my heart.
We finished our discussion and before he left for another visit with the recruiter, this senior wrestling with the largest decision of his life to date - reached up and hugged my neck.
"Thank you Mz. Witch -"
In a day and age when education is the dog that gets kicked, and we wonder why we fight, we are given treasures like these... "Thank you Mz. Witch."
"You're welcome sweet boy. Hug Rosa for me."
#golighttheworld