Just Too Sweet

Garrison Keller once said, ~Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem to not notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom ofer thanks, but we de do for them is never wasted.~ Working in the asylum, you sometimes get the impression you're never appreciated or liked be the kids, who I like to refer to them at as the children of the corn. At times, I sometimes wonder, if "my kids" only see me as someone who privodes the fun and entertainment by just snapping my fingers, which is a delusional point of view on their part because quite frankly they don't deserve it most of the time. Let me ask you this question, is it me or are kids now a days getting bored too easily and want to be entertained 24/7?

In any case, I'm a guy that has pretty much lost most of my marbles, so to speak, from having my name called out every single for petty arguments that could have been solved by themselves. As I said before, I'm not just a counselor, I'm also a negotiator as well and there are times where that part of my unofficial job description comes into play in which I will make him/her/them, and offer/solution that couldn't possibly ever be refused. Unfortunately those offers/solutions tend to be thrown back not only in my face but the faces of my fellow co-workers who worked hard o put particular events/projects together. For they simply want a better deal that they can be happy with, but the thing is when attitude is given there are no deals.

Without a doubt, a person like myself can sympathize at what a parent or parents go through, especially out in public. We've all witnessed kids going ballistic either at a restraurant, fast food places, stores, and primarily any place that is out in public with people watching. Kids who, in my opinion, have abosutely lost there minds as they run and scream at the top their lungs with the parent(s) frustrated and embarassed to no end. Personally speaking, I can honestly say that over the past 9 years, I've been embarrassed b "my kids' countless time and yet the great thing about my job is that I can embarrass them back. Embarass them not in a cruel, sadistic way, but more of a respect my authority in front of your friends kind of way that a child should have for an adult, as well as, there own parent(s).

However, there are times where kids can truly surprise you to where a a high five or hug is given either by you or by the child. Its those times that you can see and be proud of a particular child or group of children as he/she/they do something thoughtful and don't expect anything in return...most of the time. I have been privileged to have experienced many situations in which "my kids" did something for me or my fellow co-wokers and it made me smile. For the question can be asked of you, have you witnessed and/or experienced the kindness, thoughtfulness, adoration, and love of a child who not only thinks of you as a friend, but also as part of your family?

As many of you know, many kids were out of school and had a week of sleeping, having fun, as well as going on vacation. The asylum prepared a week line involving skating, movies and pizza. Well, last Wednesday "my kids" went to Chuck E. Cheese had a blast. I had only 1 token left so I asked one of my 6 & 7 girls if she wanted to take a picture with me and she said yes. The picture was taken and she asked me if she could have it, which I gave her and thought nothing of it later. The following day I asked what she did with it thinking she probably lost it or was thrown away by her mom/dad, but she said she put it in a frame and is hanging above her bed. I end this thought on what she did with a catch phrase made famous by a former WCW organization known as NWO Wolfpack, which is that she was just too sweet.