Big Hearts

The teacher confronts me and says she needs to talk about his behavior.

My internal reaction is that he’s an angel.

My immediate thought is, “God, please let her see into my soul.”

While she begins to tell me what he’s done, all I can think is:

I’m trying my best.

Give him a break.

He is trying his best, too.

He’s super smart.

He’s got a beautiful heart.

When she’s done, I respond with:

“Thank you for informing me of his behavior today. He’s got a wild imagination. Please excuse me. As a single-parent, whenever a teacher begins her sentence with, “I need to talk to you”, my blood pressure rises and I become anxious. “

I feel the tears burn my eyes, as I try to hold them in.

Survival mode begins.

I call him to where we stand. He comes over and I ask him to apologize to for his behavior.

I watch him as tears fill his eyes and he says with his angelic voice, “I am sorry for the way I acted.”

He opens his arms and offers an embrace.

I feel his pain, his remorse, his regret.

As we walk to our car, I hug him close to me, and remind him that no one is perfect.

We can only try, every waking day, to give that day our best.

Sometimes we need a break, even when we are smart, and we have big hearts.