How a former kid client made my week, and maybe my month!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205216)
Walnut Creek, California
December 16, 2017 12:44pm CST
As a child psychologist, I sometimes wonder if what I do makes any difference. It that kind of thought that contributes to my working with wood, playing music, and doing other things where the outcome is tangible.
But a recent Facebook post, sent to me by a former kid client, assures me that what I do is worthwhile, in spite of my doubts.
Remember the little trees I make at Christmas? When I worked in Oakland, I'd make one for every kid I worked with. Of course, they were thrilled.
There was one kid I've known since she was five. After "graduating" from our program, her mom moved with her into transitional housing upstairs, so I got to keep interacting with the two of them for years after mom left the program. And of course, I showed the little girl how to make my little Christmas trees.
My little girl is now 18 or 19, lives in Colorado, and just posted this video. She even remembered the importance of putting the nail in at an angle, and how the sap serves as glue! The picture of her and another favorite kid client is from when she was eight or nine. You can see why I'm a happy camper right now.
Actually, I don't know if you'll be abe to see the video. I thought it was from YouTube, and posted on Facebook. But it might just be a Facebook video.
16 people like this
14 responses
@RasmaSandra (73201)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Dec 17
How wonderful just goes to show that you're a great and thoughtful teacher.
5 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Dec 17
It's always nice to know we make some kind of difference in the world, especially to the little ones. =)
3 people like this
@Angela150 (928)
• London, England
16 Dec 17
This is a lovely post. I can't see the video though as it says "Sorry, this content isn't available at the moment"!
4 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Dec 17
Nice to know that you made a difference, I'll bet.
3 people like this
@rina110383 (24495)
•
16 Dec 17
The fulfilling part of it, is when you're able to make a difference.
4 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36392)
• Toccoa, Georgia
16 Dec 17
That is very sweet. Kids do learn from their favorite teachers and mentors. They never forget you. I have fond memories of some of my teachers from the past. I also have fond memories of teachers who taught my kids who made a lasting impression on them.
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Dec 17
How special is that @TheHorse . See? What you have done all these years has made a difference in so many kids' lives.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40042)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Dec 17
@TheHorse - How heart-warming. I believe that everything we do, good or bad, has an effect on the world around us. You are obviously having a positive effect!
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Dec 17
Way to go doc! That is what its all about!
I have one of those stories too.
When all the kids in the neighborhood would come by to play with Josh and I would be canning or freezing fruit I often sat on the front porch and watched them play and I would feed the kids fruit. One day while I was shopping for clothes these two lovely young ladies came up to me and said " I would like to thank you for being good to us when we were little kids." Well I did not know them until they told me there names. That did make my day too. While I did not think it was special they recalled each time I fed them, I recalled their mom and step dad being drunks.
That is why I always say actions and words alike count, a little kindness goes a long way.
3 people like this
