The reason I have my job is because of Oprah. I went into the school to pick up one of my daughters for an appointment and the secretary asked me if I knew anyone who needed a job. "In special ed" she said and spun her finger around her ear, the univeral sign for crazy...How rude, I thought but I told her, "No, not me" and I drove the 2 minutes to my house and remembered Oprah did a show that said not to say no. So I called and said, "Yes."
I started with k-2nd grade. And it was a lot of work. I had a kid that would drink out of mud puddles if I didn't beat him to the puddles to fill it with pea gravel. I had a boy who would not attack the kids but would pound the heck out of the staff. And he was built like a miniature Mike Tyson. I had runners that I would chase down halls and across the playground. An autistic boy that was a biter. A little girl no bigger than a minute but was the bossiest thing I ever met, she had strong control over the Mike Tyson kid, she was fearless.And a little boy who came in with empty eyes who would cruise the perimeter of the room, he was a little lost boy who was so neglected it broke our hearts. We loved him and he loved us.
There have been many kids who broke my heart over the years. Their parents in this life not able to care or in some cases love these kids. This job is not for the weak.
So after many years of Special Ed I moved on to regular education with a deaf student. I was tired of getting hit or kicked or watching a little boy stay lost. I worked in regular ed for 3 years and then my student moved and I was set adrift in the schools. Part time here, then drive over there.
Finally I was called with a new boy. God was not done with me, He tossed me back in Special Ed.
My new boy was deaf, in a wheelchair and has a personality as big as the moon. He has made me laugh, and more than once made me cry. I think with all his problems he is not long for this world and I know my heart will never heal from this. One day he wanted to talk about heaven and asked me if he would need his wheelchair in heaven. Would he be tall in heaven. I told him that many people believed he would be tall and there would be no need for his wheelchair. He thought on this and seemed very excited about the idea. (this was a time I cried)
I have lost a couple students in my life after I was out of their class. And today I lost another, one who was lost here on earth for a long time. He broke my heart but showed me what love was and how it truly worked. I wonder what he thought as he crossed over...the enormous joy. And I hope to see him on the other side, finally found.
Godspeed, little guy.
