This high school aged guy has been through an incredibly rough life... not only disabled developmentally, but disfigured (looks burned), and emotionally distraught. I don't know any details but he was very likely abused and neglected despite his developmental position... sad as hell.
But out of all the kids on my bus, even though he can act up from time to time, I know that he simply adores me. I heard what he said quickly and almost immediately began to think of other things, but it was too late, it hit me right between the chest. I savored those words today, and as I fought back tears, as I am now, I wrote this on a paper towel at a red light:
"Love in its fullness is when you don't try to figure anything out. You scream it out at the top of your lungs- just because you do. Love is identity. Love is who you are."
So often I make myself justify loving others. Just as well I justify disliking others. Based on what I know of them I make my decision. Love, hate, or indifferent. On rare occasion I can immediately love someone or dislike them, or at least feel that way in a short period of time, and never say or do anything about it. What is great about my student is that he has no inhibitions. He will yell love or yell hate depending on how he feels. If only we all could be so honest. If only we could all be so loved.
If I may borrow a quote from a close friend and an esteemed colleague:
"We should speak what we feel, not what we ought to say"
~William Shakespeare
~William Shakespeare
