It’s a fine line they walk...that’s what everyone keeps saying about our kids. Everyday I learn how fine that is. Tonight I watched as they escorted three kids away from the center in the back of a police car. But not just any kids...two who had been out to camp with me last weekend...one of which is my all time “favorite”, Aubrey. “Ma’am what do you want to do, do you want to press charges?” All I can think about is if they are going to take these kids...should I...can I come pick them up from the station?
We run two Saturday programs, one during the day, then a teen program at night. In between the two, the center is closed for a couple hours. Enough time for a few kids to come early, get bored, throw rocks and bust a window block at the youth center while we were out to eat. A neighbor called the cops. We returned right before the cops arrived. The kids were still there...waiting for the center to open...personifying the fine line, risking getting caught to be able to hang out at the center. Aubrey...scared and sincere...confessed what happened. But in the end, we had to let the cops take all three to file the report. The second the officer told them to get in the car, Aubrey broke out in tears...along with my heart.
I wish this job came with an instruction manual.
The kids surprise you. One heartfelt conversation changes your perspective. Usually I’m humbled to realize that I can’t begin to relate to their circumstance...and my patience grows.
One of our teen staff is getting baptized tomorrow.
2 comments:
Sorry to hear about your vandaliam. Hope all the kids return with a humble attitude. Good to hear that you patience is improving and not dissolving. Hope there isn't any ill will as a result of the police being involved.
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