Yesterday, while visiting my mother, a young friend of mine came to say, "Hello." We chatted as we often do about school and his behavior as he is ADHD. Now, this young boy was being raised by his grandmother who suffered a brain tumor and passed. His mother was a substance abuser who died two years later. His biological father is incarcerated. He is being raised now by his step-grandfather and older teen cousins.
Now, I fell in love with this young boy the moment I set eyes on him. He is 9 years old now and i believe he was 6 when I entered into his life. I began working with him to improve in school. Self-esteem. Love. Attention. Encouragement. It was challenging, but God would not let me give up on this young boy.
Of course, I exposed him to reading for fun and literacy. I loved telling him stories because he was always curious to know and learn more. I feared the day I had to part from seeing him regularly and I worried if he would receive the love and attention I gave him. I also spent quality time with his older teen cousins as they are raised as brother and sisters.
Well, yesterday he brought me a Goose Pimple book and asked me if he could read me the first chapter. I thought my internal tears would flood the neighborhood. Then his sisters told me he loves to go to the library and has his own library card. (God, please still my heart less it leap from my chest)!
He read that chapter like he wrote it himself with full animation. I asked him what he wanted to be in life as I always do. Before, he always said a police officer so he could find the man who killed his siters' mother (sigh). However, yesterday he answered, "Maybe President of the County!"
I had to stop myself from squeezing the life of this boy! It was the best present I have had in a long time just knowing that I made the difference in getting this boy to love to read. This is the best fee I could earn as a publisher committed to defeating illiteracy in our community.
Now, do you see how it is possible to reach back and teach just one who will make a difference to many?
Posted By: agnes levine
Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 at 8:11AM
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