Today I’ve been reflecting some on a day that changed my life: May 25, 2008.
On that date, I picked up a 13 year old kid from the Freedom neighborhood to come stay with me for two weeks. A year later, Romeo’s still here and I have no regrets.
Unsure of what to type next, I just went to his room to check on him. When I opened his door, it made such a loud noise that I was worried it would wake him. It didn’t. Some things don’t change - he still sleeps like the dead. I remember, though, when the door had to be open and a light on so that he could get to sleep. This was back in the days when he would still hide food and sharp objects near his bed and even under his pillow, when he would still keep all his things in a box, when everything I asked him to do was a battle, when he just as soon lie to me as look at me. Thank God those days have passed, for the most part; there are still a few battles now and then, but what good would being 14 be if there wasn’t?
Over the course of the past twelve months, he has made several significant strides. He burned his gang’s flag (a handkerchief that signifies gang membership). He went from reading at a 3rd grade level to reading at an 11th, from missing 55 school days last year to only missing 1 this year, from straight F’s to all A’s and B’s. He’s responsible, honest, well-behaved… where did I go wrong? 
We’ll probably get his TAKS scores in this week. As I told his teacher, if he passes one, we’ll be doing the happy dance at my house. Those scores may never give anyone a full picture of his progress. I really don’t give a rat’s ass what the tests say - and ass of rat is not a highly valued thing to me, except to feed the snake. He’s progressed farther than anyone ever could have dreamed. I know I’m proud of him, and I hope he can learn to be proud of himself, too. None of these things came easy, but he made it anyway.
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romeo's Crip Flag... On Fire!
Romeo Eats a Pomchi
Romeo the Cowboy
Slow shutter speed and a lighter. Yes, we're playing with fire. At least he's a boy scout!
I’m so proud of you. You’re such a grown up, and I hope to one day be as cool as you, little brother.
Comment by TheOtherFavoriteSon — May 26, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
“Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”
I am rejoicing with you, my Son.
Mama Two
Comment by Ann Bayliss — July 7, 2009 @ 8:23 am
…And it has been over a year since this entry. Wow! I’m glad you guys found each other.
Comment by Ben Snyder — May 30, 2010 @ 1:24 pm