Affirmation!

 

This is Chris.  I was his teacher during his 8th grade year back in 2005-2006.  Because I live by my own principles, I fought for this young man who had a label attached to him that did not belong.  Well, fighting for him cost me my job.  I wasn't upset about losing the job (other than the hell I went through at home with the ex), but I could do nothing other than hope that it all worked out for him.

So, here I was, packing up my belongings, and I found the yearbook from that school.  I found his name, looked him up on the Internet and found him on Facebook.  We messaged each other for a few days, and then we met up for lunch.

Let me just say, that this young man has lived by his own principles as well.  He has earned championships for woodworking, he has traveled abroad as well as throughout the US with his Fraternity, and he graduated from high school with Honors and still maintains an amazing GPA through college.  He gives me credit for his success - which I quickly denounced, but I thanked him for thinking of me.  

The tight hug he gave me in hello and again in goodbye was all the affirmation that I needed to continue to do the work that I do.  He has promised to stay in touch, and I am enjoying seeing one of my success stories in action.  

All that was needed for this one man was an adult to believe in him.  I am so glad that it was me.