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100 Words on Love, by Tom Schmitt
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Today as I sat behind my desk in class, worrying and contemplating a host of problems which were weighing very heavy on my mind…a 9 yr old boy who sits right in front of my desk kept looking at me like he needed to tell me something all day.
Finally when I told him he had a nice day to get out after school and play…he blurted out , you know my mom was in a very bad accident recently and they don’t know whether she’ll return home, yesterday they arrested my dad…and I was told I may not see him for a very long time…then he paused and said…I don’t know what will really happen to me….suddenly I felt very guilty for dwelling on all my own problems and focusing solely on myself. Here was a 9 yr. old boy whose life had crashed down on him.
We had recess next and I spent a great deal of time just talking with him while we threw a ball….I couldn’t solve any of his problems but he did leave with a smile on his face…and the last thing he told me is that he felt he would be ok…..When we are at our worst…the best thing we can do is turn our attention to others’ needs.
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Read more from 100 Words on Love
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Photo: Flickr/Pete
I remember being in 7th grade and having to hand the same absence note in every class/period…..asking to be excused for my previous 3 day absence, as my father had died quite suddenly. Stunned silence from a few, the better ones showed emotion and connection with a hug or even a supportive touch. One dept head whom I did AV / yearbook photography for helped most when he said he’d adopt me if he could/needed to. That connection meant the world to me at the time.