This is John at his 6th grade dance today. They went all out with breakfast, snacks, lunch, incredible decorations with the New York Skyline and the Hollywood West Coast Skyline. He said it was a lot of fun. I had every intention on going and helping all year then I went out of town and can't seem to catch up with life since I got back and missed it. Now I feel bad.Something worth sharing about little John....
The other night Thomas, John, and I were talking about their charter school, LPA, and I asked John if he missed Legacy. He said a little. I then asked if he wishes he were still going there and he said, no, he likes where he is at much better. Then Thomas said he wishes he still went there. He had a couple really good friends at Legacy and hasn't connected with anyone the way he did with a couple boys there so he misses that. So John and I went on to ask if he has friends and he said, just Carson. We asked about other kids and he got teary eyed and said that no one likes him and people are mean to him. I talked to him about how I understand how he feels because I use to feel that way in school and still do and told him maybe next year will be better because he will be in a different class with different kids and he'll make more friends. This is where little John continued the conversation. I decided to leave and let them talk. So for the next 20 minutes they talked. John told Thomas he is going to walk home from school with him and find some kids his age to walk with.
So the next morning, Thomas came out from the bathroom and little John had spiked his hair in front. He took Thomas under his wing all day. When they got home from school I asked them how the day was. Thomas said it was good and lil John told me at recess him and his friends went and played soccer with Thomas and all the other kids that were playing.
Now here is the part that amazes me......
A kid who is mean to Thomas and calls him names said something mean to Thomas. John heard and later went up to the kid and told him....."YOU ARE A GOOD SOCCER PLAYER. GOOD JOB!"....... do you see where my amazement comes in? I think I just stood there shocked looking at him for a second in awe at what came out of his mouth. He wasn't being the big bad brother who was going to put that kid in his place. He just naturally said something nice to that kid. Complimented him. And from what I hear, that kid has suddenly been being really nice to Thomas and he has been having better days since then. WOW. What a good example he is. Maybe that is what the mean kid needed, was someone to recognize something good in him. And it was that simple. I have been playing this over and over in my mind and wish John was going to be there to be that example to all 5 other kids who will be following behind him in school. I just can't stop thinking about what he could have done. I think if it was me, I wouldn't be mean but I would point out to the kid that he needs to be nice. John didn't even go there. He just went straight to making the other kid feel good. WOW again.
I am just so happy about his example and his natural ability to be kind and loving.
As I was telling big John about this and how I have always felt that way and sadly still make myself feel unliked so easily, he asked me what could have been different to not make me feel this way. And it hit me and sunk in more than ever that HOME IS A REFUGE FROM THE WORLD. I've heard it many times but it never meant as much as it did at that moment and still does. When you feel rejected by the world, home is where you should be able to go to feel complete non judgement and total love and acceptance. That sure upped my feelings as a mother in the way I mother and the spirit and feeling I cultivate in our home. And not only that, but teaching all my children to love each other and make sure they all feel being with each other is a safe place to be. I'm sure Thomas feels this way just from John's small act of kindness. I am so grateful for this kid. For his example, and his kind, loving heart.
Just two days ago for family home evening we talked about trying to be like Jesus and read several examples from that section of the friend. After, we each said something we did that day to be like Jesus. I'm not sure there could be a better example of being like Jesus than what John did for not only Thomas, but the kid who was being mean, and for us as his parents. Good job John. Thank you for your big example to a lot of people.
