REVERSAL OF POWER

Sometimes life can surprise you. It can show you that things are not so bad. That the tides turn. That there are people out there who take the time to listen. People who go beyond what is expected, though it may not be the popular course of action.

I did not have much expectations from today’s meeting, having previously entertained the thought of canceling the appointment. That it did not matter. Certainly, I did not think that my son would have the opportunity to experience the lasts of his middle school years.

As I was given the chance to explain my situation and to express the hardships of this decision, and to voice my thoughts, he simply sat across from me and listened. To my letting him know that I am unable to take any more time away from work to drive my son to the special bus stop. Something that also entailed a much earlier waking time to the official school. Two hours earlier, to be exact. To my explaining that this punishment did not fit the alleged crime.

‘What do you think is a fair solution?’, the principal asked.

‘I would suggest having him be placed in ISS’, I replied after some thought. And then proceeded to let him know that my son will not be in school on his birthday. And since he had already taken his final STARR test, there was no reason for him to be in school on the 10th.

After hearing my explanations and wishes, he presented me with a compromise. The three-week long sentence of having to go to LEO would be canceled. Only 10 days served of in-school suspension, in the new location. With two days off, that would make a total of eight days served. He would then return to school as normal for the final week, and be able to participate in all of the final week activities, including the Crossover ceremony. He was even allowed to attend tomorrow’s Band Solo contest and the Spring Band concert later this month.

I mentioned my having been told that teachers will not be teaching anything. That there would be no homework. Nothing to grade. That students will sit and watch movies and be on their phones and will continue to do so after testing. I gathered that was not supposed to be the case.

Sometimes life can surprise you. It can show you that there is someone on your side. Someone who is willing to take time to listen, without interruption. People who show you that outside events can only take over if you let them. That you have control over your mind.

Sometimes all it takes is a reversal of power.