Today's writing quote: The Universe is not made of atoms. It's made of tiny stories.
I subbed three days at our alternative high school this week. Most of these students I've had before when they were in "regular" school. It didn't work for them.
They all have stories.
He
Was abused for 5 years
By. His. Mom.
(I don't understand how moms can do that.)
But he survived.
His scars don't show, but they do have names.
BD
OCD
ADHD
Bipolar
He
Handles life with
snark and
suspicion.
He has a right to be angry
To hate the woman
But he is a survivor
He's starting a new life
with new people
and determination.
She
Wandered off her path and
Ran with a bad crowd
She was an angry ass she says
Even though her family
Was behind her and
Tried to pull her
Back to the path.
She
Counts sober days
While most around her
Count down to graduation
She'll make that milestone too.
She
Tells me
Every. Day. Is. Hard.
Sometimes every hour.
But she is a survivor
With a new attitude
That keeps her wandering
From her new path
Today.
Thank you for sharing stories of survival... there is hope.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad for alternative high schools and for the folks who work in them, offering beacons of hope to those who struggle.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these stories. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHeart-wrenching stories. But such a celebration of the ones who are fighting to survive, to reclaim their lives that seem lost before they've begun. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand either, Deb, but while your stories are heartbreaking, they show hope for these two. I'm glad to know that, wishing many more could get the help, and the hope.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this and for subbing. I teach alternative ed and I, too, hear some of these heart-wrenching stories. Sadly, I think that so many of these kids are overlooked...
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteThese kids are survivors and hopefully with your (as well as other empathetic educators' intervention) they will thrive.
Best wishes.
Purviben
@TrivediZiemba