Had my first meeting with the girl who I may be mentoring next year. Her parents happened to be there for her race relays and they sat in on our meeting together. N is an articulate child. She has an opinion and with a little help, is not afraid to use it. On the permission form, parents are asked whether they will allow photos of their child to be taken. These parents chose not to, Of course, I understand their concern but was a wee bit disappointed.
Had my second meeting with Miss N. Any problem with having a mentor, was gone. We forget how much we really do care about wanting that village around sometimes. No agenda, just being a friend, goes a long way with a child or a Big Person. The older we get, the more we like to think we are an island instead of a community. It is about balance, it always is. That and a great big does of knowing you are loved.
Right now, Bakery Boy is mentoring me. Less than a month ago, these two young people lost their three year old as he ran into the street to get a Frisbee. She talks bluntly about the land mines she is trying to avoid but even more about how to move on after a tragedy that most of us will never share. I am in awe of both parents. They know that Someday they will see their Ryan again and that our ways are not God's ways. Mentoring, no matter what it looks like, it is a labor of love...
