Also, tonight was his first junior high band/orchestra concert. He spent most of the time crawling up the bleachers right around me. I don't think he noticed that each time he got to the one right above where I was sitting I picked him up and put him two rows down. He kept climbing those three rows so happily like he was really going somewhere. Who's that dude in mythology with the rock? Sisyphus? Hendrik is my cheerful little existentialist.
I had a lapse in judgment and let him wear his squeaky sandals, which weren't an issue during the loud band, but I had to take them off during the orchestra part. *blush* I should've known better. He loves those sandals.
And for me: first time truly feeling a connection with a student who has been difficult all year. This student has fought me every step of the way as I've tried to help with her schoolwork. She has gotten into fights, failed important classes needlessly, cussed me out in a couple languages, acted belligerently, and brought others in the class down. I have reached the end of my patience with her more than once over the year. But today in a lengthy meeting with some authority figures she turned to me and started to cry and said that at night sometimes she thinks of me and feels sorry for how she acts because I am the only teacher who cares about her. She asked for my forgiveness. And I was so happy to give it and to assure her that there are fresh starts and that next year will be better. She will still pay consequences for what has happened, but it is in the past. Of course it might all start up again tomorrow, but for today I am glad to be reminded of new beginnings and forgiveness and the prodigal's dad running to meet him in great joy.