The Hard Parts

I have mentioned before that the most difficult part of my job is saying goodbye.

Sometimes I have known a child five years before they move on. During the school year, I spend more waking hours with some of 'my' kids than their parents do, which is an occupational hazard of being a parent, I guess.

People work so hard just to make sure the kids are fed and clothed and taken care of that they sometimes end up with very little time to spend on them.

I know I have said before that these kids are going to be in day care anyway. They may as well be with someone who actually does care about them.

Today, two of my boys told me they're moving at the end of the school year. Brothers. Richard and Adam. Rich is the little guy. Blonde buzz cut, thick glasses and wiry all-arms-and-legs-and-highwater-pants. His mom can't keep up with his sudden growth. Older brother Adam is a great big brother. He makes sure Rich is taken care of and often puts his needs ahead of his own.

Last week during snack, Rich got up from the table and went to the Lego rug and got on his hands and knees, hiding his face. Immediately, Adam said, "Oh no. He's sick!!" He got up and went over to his brother. Getting on his hands and knees beside him, he put a protective arm over him. "Are you sick, Buddy?"

Rich nodded miserably. I was already there, since I caught what was going on, so I took Rich outside in the fresh air and called his mom. She said she'd be there as soon as she could.

Adam stood guard over him, watching him from a distance and finally getting a chair and just sitting by him in the corner after we came in.

When mom came to get them, Adam grabbed all Rich's things and helped him up. He HELD HIS HAND and walked out the door with him.

He's always helpful, asking me if I need help when I put things away. He's also become really good friends with Ariana. When he's not there, she doesn't have as much fun. And when she isn't there, he mopes around a little and wants to know WHY.

And they told me this afternoon that they're leaving.
:::sigh::

They don't want to go, but Adam is loyal to Mom... "She needs to be closer to work."

Rich is sad. He sniffled a bit and then asked me if I could give him a hug.
Oh yes, of course I could. I will not reject the affection of a child. And although I'm not his mom, I feel good that I could stand in a little for her.

At the end of each year, I say goodbye to a lot of kids. And at the beginning of the new year, I welcome a bunch of children I have never met before, and we continue on.

I do not love all the parts of my job equally.