Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 17:08:03 -0400 (EDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Skip Correll 615-757-5585 (School)" <CORRELL_SKIP@a1.cps.k12.tn.us>
Subject: RE: A Father's Pride
Those of us with children understand. Those of us who work with
kids thank you for that simple act of bonding.
Yesterday, I had in my office, a 16 year old high school junior
who had cursed at a school secretary when she refused to let him
use the phone. What wasn't factored into the incident was the
fact that he and his 11 year old brother had spent the entire
morning in Sessions Court watching their parents tear into each
other trying to prove how unfit the other one was. Both boys
were sent on to school while the hearing was continued.
Under no circumstances can I condone or accept what he did. We
talked about anger management, walking away, getting someone to
intervene, anything except cursing a lady old enough to be his
grandmother who was only doing her job. He cried, oh God, did he
cry; this man-child literally did not know if he had a home or a
place to go. When I finally got the problem sorted out, I
contacted the father, confirmed the custody order, and took him
home in Da Luv Bus.
The 30 minute trip passed quickly. He was fascinated by the bus,
the way it drove, shifting gears, and how "slow go" could be fun.
We talked about a lot of things; by the time we got there I told
him to take today to cool off and decompress. We would talk
about his actions and the consequences (and whatever lessons he
missed) when he returned. I made sure his Dad was there and went
on my way. He knows when he comes back he is facing 3 days in
school suspension (working in the school cafeteria) but he called
today to apologize to the secretary, a sincere heartfelt apology
that caused both of them to weep.
Your post struck a cord with me because I deal with kids who
are treated well and kids who are treated with cruelty. Willow
is lucky; so is her dad.
I apologize in advance for those who feel this is sentimental
crap but I feel as though I'm 300 years old right now. I have
worked with kids for the past 28 years; some who succeeded
because of their background and many who succeeded in spite of
it. But it's some of the failures that concern me. I've often
wondered if a simple act of parental kindness could have made a
difference.
The VW thread? On the way home from the student's house, Da Luv
Bus' fuel pump went out on one of the busiest streets in this
area. I lost a lot of gas, blocked traffic, and was loudly
cursed by Chrysler crapmobile drivers. My son (16 and a newly
licensed Thing driver) finally arrived with the truck and tow bar
so I got it home about midnight where it will sit till this
weekend when I have time to fix it.
Thanks for letting me vent.