Former Students

People with special needs can be so endearing. I went to visit some of my former students today who have moved to our district's Young Adult Program. This program is designed to provide age appropriate skills to students who are 18 thru 21, rather than continuing to serve them at the high school level. It leans heavily towards honing work skills and general life skills - it is a truly outstanding program. Anyway, I went there to have lunch with the students. There are many other students there from the other high schools, too - some I know their names, some I just know faces from the dances sponsored by the board I sit on.

After we ate, I continued to visit with one of my former students as she and another young man were working on stuffing a form in the front of a booklet. This young man was very talkative and friendly, and I remembered him from the dances. He said he remembered me too, but he said 'I thought I recognized you, but you must have got a haircut since I last saw you.' So sweet. I explained that the reason I had on the scarf was because I was having chemotherapy and had no hair. He asked what that was, so I explained as simply as I could that I had cancer and the chemotherapy drugs were put in my body to fight the cancer, but unfortunately it also fought my hair! He just smiled and said 'Oh'. I just wanted to hug him.

One of the things I love about working with this level student is how genuinely kind and friendly most of them are. They just want you to like them and are so eager to learn - even when it is difficult for them.

Once I left the Young Adult Program I decided to run to WalMart to get various and sundry things. As I stepped out of my car I noticed how dark the sky had become. I considered getting back in my car and heading home, since severe thunderstorms were predicted for this afternoon, but decided to go on in. About half way through the store there was a HUGE clap of thunder and the rain let loose. The noise of the rain on the tin roof was deafening. I don't know how the employees can stand it! Of course, I hadn't thought to grab my umbrella out of the trunk of my car, so I got to sprint through the downpour, throw my groceries in the back seat, put the cart away and then jump in my car soaked to the skin. Nice. I had a couple more stops to make before I could get home and change into something warm and dry. Brrrrrrr.