Thanks For Being Nice To Me

[poliphilo]

I was out cutting the hedge yesterday afternoon and a child from down the street- a lonely 12 year old who gets lost in the crowd of her siblings- stopped by for a chat.  After a while I asked Ailz (sotto voce) to come and chaperone me because- well- a middle-aged man has to be careful around kids these days. I hate it, but there you are.  Ailz was showing her our collection of soft toys (we've got hundreds of them) and wound up giving her a couple. Later she returned with gifts of her own- a miniature scent bottle and a doll's hand mirror- plus a thankyou note. 

thank's for the tedy what you give me and thank's for being nice to me and you are a good frend to now.

I've fixed it to the fridge with a magnet. 

I don't know how people who are around kids all the time can stand it- all those vulnerable young lives- and knowing all the horrors that surround and await them- and being so powerless to do anything about it- like watching a fleet of paper boats going off down a fast-flowing river. 

Comments

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

oh, that breaks my heart! sorry, hart.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

I could never have stood being a guidance councilor at school. There are way too many very sad cases.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

like watching a fleet of paper boats going off down a fast-flowing river.

Thank you for this jewel of a post, Tony.

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I guess the way that they stand it is by seeing the flags fluttering on the paper boats.

We all have the power to make a difference in someone else's life; for good or for ill. By choosing to try and act for good, who knows what difference you have made to that girl's future?

[jenny_evergreen]

I stand it by trying not to think about it too much...concentrating on the "now".
Sweet child...there are far too many kids not getting enough love in the world.

ahh

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, lovely.
Great pictures of Alice by the way - I was aware of a relaxed quality about them. I sent the link to Jo and Thomas too, to share them.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. We can definitely see you and hopefully entertain you to a meal- Ma was unsure I think. We'll make sure of it and see if we can take any flexi time perhaps.
Jenny

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

When I became a teacher it was of older, already hardened to the world people. Even so, I met quite a few 20 year olds who could have written that note.

Like Jackie, I think this post is a jewel. I felt so sad after reading her note. Manolo and I were just now discussing the horrendous perspectives young people face these days. I think we had it easier.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

I used to drive a school bus. People would ask me all the time how I could stand those awful kids. The thing was, I loved my kids (it was management I couldn't stand, which is why I quit). There was one little girl on the bus, a 5 year old refugee from the Sudan, who, for Christmas, gave me 2 pencils "for my children". She asked me how many children I had. I told her I had 180... that was the number of children that I transported on the bus every day. I told her that she and all her mates were my children, that they were all the children I needed.

She seemed very pleased with that.

Every time I see stuff on TV about kids in the Sudan, or kids getting blown up in Iraq, or in any other places in the world were kids end up being the victims of adult aggression, I think of that beautiful little Sudanese girl, and it brings tears to my eyes.

[sculptruth.livejournal.com]

How beautiful is that? I don't find it sad at all -- you've given her something she will cherish forever.

I was a sad and lonely kid. I work with children as an art teacher now in the hopes of passing on something I didn't get much of -- love, attention, and nourishment to pursue whatever they dream of despite the odds. Sometimes it's hard, but as someone said earlier, the now is what's most important to them, as well as for them.

I hope you and Ailz have the opportunity to spend more time with her!

[richenda.livejournal.com]

>>>>After a while I asked Ailz (sotto voce) to come and chaperone me because- well- a middle-aged man has to be careful around kids these days. I hate it, but there you are.

Not only middle-aged men - women too. It's so sad, but we all have to be really careful these days

[oakmouse]

40 years from now (or more), that child will still remember your kindness and feel happy. You've done a wonderful thing.

[ibid.livejournal.com]

But then kids have such life and exuberance. They are fearless and I do sometimes wonder if it would be better if we grown ups just left them alone...

Isn't it nice to make a new friend

Life is hard - well hard things happen - but so do good ones too. I think life just is!

[craftyailz.livejournal.com]

What Poliphilo doesn't mention is that this nicely brought up child has 9 brothers and sisters oldest 35 youngest 1 - plus a 14 year old girl who lives with them and who she counts as another sister.