Chapter Two

"SOMEBODY'S BABY"

Yesterday nine year old "L" spent the day with me. 

I needed to do some shopping which included a trip to the health food store to grind my own almond butter. 

The "homeless man" was sitting on a bench by the front door. He's always there, just sitting, just staring. I usually try to buy something that he can eat and give it to him on my way to the car. 

One bitter cold day last winter I bought him three apples. He looked up and smiled... he has the most beautiful blue eyes but no front teeth... whoops, that was going to make it hard to eat the apples.

So on this sunny summer day "L" and I bought him a big "LOVE" chocolate bar. We handed it to him and those blue eyes, ever so slightly, fluttered a thank you.

Once in the car "L" asked... "What's wrong with him?" 

"I'm not sure" I answered. I paused and then I said. 

"We all make choices, some good and some bad. His choices have brought him to a place that's hard. Maybe, I continued, you could imagine him the same age as your little brother. Once upon a time that man was somebody's baby."

I love my job as the school librarian / math teacher. Teaching school will either keep you young or turn you grey. I go back next week and I am both excited and reluctant. 

I know going in I have to arm myself with PATIENCE. I live for the "light bulb moments" when real learning occurs and in between I look at those faces full of personality and spunk and sometimes learning challenges and know that someone at home is hoping I will help them, teach them, love them, they are all...  "somebody's baby"

My daughter use to play this song for "L" when she was tiny...