We Have a Responsibility to Make the Holidays Fun for Kids Struggling With Poverty
A little bit of mindfulness and humanity can go a long way
One of my wife’s students walked shyly up to her desk. “Miss Azucena,” he said, “I won’t be able to come on Thursday.”
“Why is that Alejandro?” she asked.
She’s told me about Alejandro before. He’s a good boy with dark hair and brown eyes. She laughs when she recounts his antics. He tries to work hard, but there are times when he needs to run around outside and chase after a soccer ball. She’s developed the same affection for him that she does for all her kids.
At her question, Alejandro shrugged.
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No Miss, I’m not sick.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
Alejandro shook his head. He didn’t want to speak anymore, but he also didn’t turn away. He stood before her, respectfully waiting to be dismissed.
But my wife doesn’t like mysteries, particularly when she can sense her students are burdened, and they’re looking to share their troubles with somebody they can trust. She glanced over at the calendar and realized that Thursday was the school’s Halloween party.
