This is an old facebook note of mine. I was missing my kids today, and think that this is an appropriate tribute to my most favorite kiddo.
Every morning I have the same conversation with a student of mine from last year. Every day a strong, bittersweet feeling is left in my stomach. This is how it goes, word for word:
Boy: But what about… but what about… do I miss you?
Me: I don’t know, (his name), do you miss me?
Boy: Yeah. <as he nods his head slightly>
Me: Me too. Have a good day!
(Contextualizing topics into a sentence can be a mystery to him. When he wants to mention something he says “But what about…” For example, he wrote in a birthday card once “But what about a birthday cake.”)
Relationships are stressful for him, as well, and I know that he has transitioned to a fluid relationship with his new teacher. This means that I am now peripheral and so we have specific, memorized interactions.
I am forever grateful that he was in my class. He has impacted me in many ways. He made me a 1,000 times better teacher. He made me laugh deep belly laughs every day. He showed me the entire Chicago Metra system from memory, complete with schedules. He taught me to understand and appreciate people with autism. I’m sure this all sounds cheesy, but he has a joyful presence and spirit about him that is infectious.
I never saw myself as the type of person who would enjoy working people who have special needs. But, as I said, he changed me in many ways. And he is not an intangible, ethereal “person.”
Yeah, I miss you too.
