After many years of penning this blog, I have come to know many of you and if you have been following me and reading the comments you probably know each other too.
During Christmas, many of you shared your home’s Christmas decor which gave us another glimpse of you. I enjoyed that so much that I want to continue putting forth ways for us to connect. If you have a personal story that you would want to share please send it to me at
coreyamaro@aol.com
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Shared Stories number 7
Four days a week, I spend 30 minutes with seven 14-year-old boys in an alternate ed classroom. I love these boys, even when they are testing my patience. They are always testing my patience. None has lived a fairy tale life and to know their stories would break your heart.
This morning we were engaged in a game to practice a few social skills. I called #1 up to take his turn at the board and had to redirect him from a distraction.
“Sorry,” he said, ‘just got a text from my dad.”
Just as I’m about to speak, I’m interrupted by a wistful voice from across the room softly stating, “Wish I got texts from my dad.”
A silent pause descended, all eyes turned slowly in his direction, while his widened eyes gave evidence of surprise that he’d said it out loud.
“Me, too,” said a third, giving a wry smile and a shrug. The room stayed quiet. Another silent pause as the teacher and I exchange glances, knowing we are witnessing an unusually tender moment for this classroom in these very few seconds that pass.
#1 pulls a hoodie over his ears, shakes his head, then says with a laugh and a “tsk.” “Aw, that’s just sad, Man.” The boys all laughed, the moment broken, and we returned to the game.
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