Heart with Capital S

A few years ago, in addition to my academic classes, I had a class which was devoted to helping students who were struggling for various reasons. Some of them had disciplinary issues, some of them had attendance issues, and some of them needed just needed extra help.

One of these students was a young man, David*, who was struggling due to absences, a tendency to not turn in homework, and, because he had two very very successful older brothers, had a slight inferiority complex. I saw right through all of this. David was so scared that he couldn't measure up to his brothers that he was subconsciously sabotaging himself. And I wasn't going to let him do it. Some days, it felt like I was pulling teeth to get David to do what was necessary for him to succeed, but succeed he did.

This might seem totally unrelated. But stay with me. I am a birthday lover. I love birthdays. I love the cake, the singing, the presents, making a big deal, I love it all. But most of all, I love my birthday. I remember in my 20s, my dad once told me that I needed to stop making such a big fuss about my birthday, that I was getting too old. Hah! Not me. I still start counting down to my big day 4 months in advance. And at school, I start reminding my kids that they only have X number of days left until my birthday in February. (My big day is in April.)

Ok. Back to David. The year I taught David was no different that any other birthday year. Not really expecting my kids (students) to do anything, I started announcing my birthday. Finally, my big day arrived, and so did David, with a small gift box for me. I opened it up, and in it was the charm at the top of this post. I thought it either stood for my first initial or for his last initial, but as I was ooing and awing over it, he said, wait. Let me explain. The S doesn't stand for what you think it does. It stands for Second Chances, because that's what you gave me.

If you don't think there were tears at that one... Well, here's the best part. I've had the chance to work with David closely during all of his four years in high school through the organization I sponsor at school. He's graduating number 1 in his class this spring. I love that kid.

*Not his real name.