Our admissions director confirmed today what I'd been dreading to hear - Max is headed to a new school next year. For all the support we've tried to give him, we could not provide the tools he needed to make it through here. I am so disheartened, and yet I'm trying to remain hopeful that we've planted enough of a seed...that he will land in a place that's better suited to meet his needs. Once I heard, I drafted a note to him I'm not sure I'll give him on the last day of school. It feels heady and might be more than a rising second grader can take in or comprehend. Maybe I'm worried it says too much about me, about what I needed when I was younger and less about what he needs or can handle right now. Still, if I had the courage, this is the letter I'd send:
Goomy,
As you get ready to embark on a new adventure, I wanted to send you off with a few words from me. You were one of
my favorite things about teaching here last year. I loved
the times we'd sit together and just draw. I didn’t even really mind the millions of times
you teased me by shouting “Naked Mole Rat!” after you discovered how much I.Hate.Rats. It's been so awesome getting to know
your brother now - I love seeing how much you two look forward to spotting each other at carpool at the end of the day. He admires and looks up to you
a lot. I know school has been tough for you sometimes. When I was little, I had some
tough times, too. I felt like no one else was experiencing what I was going
through or feeling. But every person you meet will have some sort of challenge
in life. And these truly are the things that will build your character, and
make you a better, stronger person down the road. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t
tell yourself that you're not good enough or that you're so
different from everyone else. Besides, the ways that you are different are pretty wonderful - you're incredibly smart, creative, funny and
complex. The important people in your world will
see you for all these things and more – don’t worrying about the ones
who don’t. School can be hard sometimes, but don’t give up on it. There are
subjects and things that you don’t even know about yet that will really hit a
nerve with you someday soon. Your job will be to zone in on the things that
really click, and find a way to get more of them into your daily life. But you
have lots of things to learn about between now and then. I tell you all this
because it is one thing to hear from your family members how great you are, but it
is something else to have someone outside your family see all the gifts you
possess and remind you that you truly are awesome. I believe in you, and I know you will do amazing things wherever you land.
Love,
Carla
No comments:
Post a Comment