This morning, 2.5 weeks into the school year I got both kids off to school on time. AMAZING. My prize, go to the local park and run the track! I'm just getting going when I see what looks like a little boy crying, and I think maybe not, because no one is stopping to help. When I get near I see he is crying. It took me a few minutes to calm him enough to understand what was happening. He told me his name, and that he was 11 years old, his bike was lost or stolen, he was trying to get to school, both parents work, he usually rides his bike to school, but with no bike, and a backpack that was too heavy for him to walk fast, he knew he was late and he was frightened would get detention.
As he talked I realized that fear was not his only issue.it seems he has a disability or illness affecting his ability to string his sentences together and talk to me. His school was about a 1/2 mile away. So, I asked if I could take him to school in my car. Still crying he said yes. I could see that some of the joggers were watching me walk off with him, looking at me wondering, but again they did nothing. I just walked out of the park with a kid who had been alone and crying and NO ONE DID ANYTHING.
At school I explained the situation and was relieved when the office staff didn't rush him to class, but asked if he wanted to see a counselor, and he said "Yes". Time for me to go.
My work out abandoned, I when home and cried. I was not just crying for this kiddo, but for Nicky. I thought about what could have happened to this little man, if the wrong person had wandered up to him and what kind of world do we live in that people just jogged past this little boy offering no assistance.
Than I realized I was focused on the wrong thing. My brain was so stuck in scary I almost missed the days miracle; God arranged my day. He put me in the park to find this little man and get him to school where he could meet with a counselor and maybe begin getting the extra help he needed.
I am reminded it only takes one person to make a difference. Today for all the people in the park, for all the people in the world, I got to be that person. When I look at it like that, it's all good. It's what I would want for my kiddo. I wonder, what would you do?
Donna, you angel! I would have done just what you did, I am sure. But what's up with all those other folks--are they missing some parts, like hearts & minds???? What you describe--the apathy and disinterest--is so typical of big city life where everyone is running late and the chance to help someone, to truly help as you did, is seen as an inconvenience, a delay in one's all-precious schedule. Thank you for having enough heart to make up for all the heartless creeps who passed that little child by and went on with their lives.
ReplyDeletePrudence
Amen. It is the little things that make God smile...they all add up!
ReplyDeleteDonna, you took the words out of my mouth. This was destiny meeting fate. A similar situation happened to me, but the little boy was let off the school bus at my house by mistake. Bus driver just let him off the bus, and he had the wherewithal to ring my door bell with details of being "lost" & "confused"because it didn't look like his house. All he could do was tell me his school name. I called, he infact was a student there - and I notified the principal of 2 things: (1) the boy was safe, (2) CALL HIS MOM and tell her he's enroute with a National Spokesperson for US Fostercare & kids with disabilities. When we arrived at the school, she was in hysterics but beyond relieved her son landed on my doorstep. We were both thankful for the miracle.
ReplyDeleteBut like you, I couldn't help but think if that were my semi-verbal son LET OFF AT THE WRONG HOUSE!!! Sooo many people would have to answer to that, starting with bus driver. You are an Angel. More children will cross your path in that same way. Love Ya
I wonder what the outcome would have been if an adult male were observed taking a crying child into his car? Unfortunately our society tends to be more judgmental in regards to the interactions of males and children. Having found myself in similar situations over the years I have chosen to stay with the child and notify the authorities. This is not always the most efficient way to deal with a difficult situation but it is effective. Tom
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteAs much as I appreciate and admire your thoughtfulness and compassion, it may be best not to take a child into your car - wouldn't want to teach him unsafe habits (getting into a stranger's car) and make him easy prey for a child predator.
He was a very lucky little boy that you were there for him!
Lisa
Donna, I’m so, so proud of you and your loving heart!!!! Yet, I think so the little one would not learn to feel comfortable with “going into a stranger’s car”… I think I would have called the police; waited with him, and then follow him with the police to his school. I’m sooooooooooo proud of YOU!
ReplyDeleteP.s. the one that commented on your loving heart is YOUR older sis Dee ! ~ and although one may later think of better ways they might handle the same event, the key here is that YOU DID NOT turn away from the boy or his needs!!!! Again; I’m sooooooooooo proud of YOU!
ReplyDeletewow- I just came across your blog - and I love this heartwarming story!! ~Lisa
ReplyDeleteDonna, I think it's a wonderful thing that you did for that little boy and I do believe God put you there for him that day.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if any of the other people there were kind of scared to approach the little boy? You know how it is in the world today. You're scared to touch someone else's child for fear of what may happen or what someone may think. Then you have the other side to it, who could walk by a child in distress with out offering any assistance? I surely couldn't.
I can't say what I would've done in that situation, I think I'd have to have been in it myself to say for sure. I might have walked him the 1/2 mile to school, instead of putting him in my car. That way you were both 'visible' to everyone on the way there, instead of being in the privacy of a car. If I had a cell phone, maybe called someone for him but on this one- I 'think' I would've wanted to see that he got to school, not just him leaving in a cop car or whatever. Who knows? Maybe I would've put him in my car? I honestly can't say.
I know for sure though, that I would've helped him some how, not just walked on by like the others did. Who knows what could've happened to him, had you not been there?
I did find a lost little girl in Walmart once. I was scared to take her too far, thinking her parents might think I was trying to take her. After I wiped her tears and calmed her down, I held her hand standing a little further from her than I would’ve been if I were holding my own child’s hand but I walked her up and down the main (bigger) aisle and kept saying loudly (for everyone around to hear me), “We’ll find your Momma baby girl. You look for her and tell me when you see her.” It seemed like forever but we finally found her grandma, several aisles away. No way I could’ve walked by and left her crying all alone like she was.
What wonderful perspectives from all of you. I never even thought of calling the police...duh! Thanks for your kind words and loving nudges helping expand my thinking. :)
ReplyDeleteDonna
I was amazed at the idea that you share you familys daily life with the people and on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI never faced something like this but I hope your son gets better just have faith and hope
ReplyDelete