Auld Lang Syne My Child

Image Credit: Annie Spratt

Journal Entry: January 11, 2023 | Age 10

Bedtime conversations are really hard sometimes.  We are just 3 days into returning from Christmas/Winter break in the new year, and I had to tell him tonight:

 …One day Pierce, when you’re older and look back at your life, you’re going to see that there were people who wanted to make you feel really, really, small, but you will realize that you were the strongest and bravest of them all.

Your friends are young and will make mistakes because they’re just kids. They’ll forget about your disabilities and will be unkind and sometimes cruel because, again, they’re kids.  Even when your friends are annoyed with you and think that you’re asking for help because you weren’t paying attention, or that you’re doing things on purpose, or have no patience to help you because you don’t understand right away, or say things that hurt…try not to let their words or these moments hurt you or your heart or take away its beauty. They’re just kids, making kid mistakes. I know it’s hard. I can only imagine.

Remember though, this year is all about you - building you up and working to leave behind the anxiety and fear school brings you. It is your year to enjoy friends, be a kid, and hopefully find little ways to start to love school. This year is not about school work or grinding out homework.  We’ve seen time and time again, how your brain can make giant educational leaps forward when we least expect it. You can now tell time, skip count, spell and READ! - In English AND French!  This year is the year that you learn to let go, to move on and not let your mistakes, your embarrassment or sadness claim the day. It is your year to learn to not let the small things swallow you or the hurt from your classmates drown you.   Remember that this is the year that you learn to ask for help until the right person can help you - that wants to help you. To find the friends that will stand by you and lift you.  This is the year that you learn to recognize and manage your anxiety and stress when it start to creep into your space. And most importantly, for you to continue to protect your heart always - even from yourself. 

You ARE the bravest kid in that class room.  You ARE the bravest kid I know, just facing what you face every single day, and the challenges that each new school day brings. I am always in awe.  You ARE the strongest kid in that classroom. No one is kinder and more thoughtful than you. Remember that kindness and empathy is monumental strength, and better than being any smarty-pants kid.  Oh, and don’t forget…you’re a already a smarty-pants kid too.