4.08.2004
Last night as I was closing one of my favorite kids burst into my area and ran around all the computers. I asked him what he was looking for, and as he turned around to face me, he burst into whacking sobs. I panicked a little and asked if he was okay, did something happen, tell me why you're so upset.
"I *sob* lost *sob* my *sob* backpack!"
It broke my heart immediately. My ten-year-old self would have behaved in the exact same way if I had lost my backpack. What else does a kid have that is his and his alone? If he's like other kids here he keeps his money and all his valuables (printed copies of hip hop stars, trading cards, library card) in his backpack. On top of that my parents would have unhappily driven me back to the library while lecturing me the whole about keeping track of my things.
We're not supposed to touch the kids, but I found myself putting my arm around his shoulders. I told him that we'll go ask at the circ desk because that's where people turn in lost stuff. He could barely walk over to the desk with all his crying. Sure enough, another kid turned in his bag and all his stuff was inside. "Thank *sob* you *sob*!"
"I *sob* lost *sob* my *sob* backpack!"
It broke my heart immediately. My ten-year-old self would have behaved in the exact same way if I had lost my backpack. What else does a kid have that is his and his alone? If he's like other kids here he keeps his money and all his valuables (printed copies of hip hop stars, trading cards, library card) in his backpack. On top of that my parents would have unhappily driven me back to the library while lecturing me the whole about keeping track of my things.
We're not supposed to touch the kids, but I found myself putting my arm around his shoulders. I told him that we'll go ask at the circ desk because that's where people turn in lost stuff. He could barely walk over to the desk with all his crying. Sure enough, another kid turned in his bag and all his stuff was inside. "Thank *sob* you *sob*!"
