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One night while I was eating dinner on campus last semester, I overheard some kids chatting. They were rather hilarious and I couldn't help but laugh at a particular part of their conversation.
L-O-N-G story short, we had an entire discussiom about how they wanted to live their lives. They had many questions for me. My final response to them was to ignore the chatter in their head and listen to their hearts. Apparently, they really appreciated that answer as is evidenced by what happened next. With tears in their eyes, all four of them asked me for a hug. I think they liked that I laughed with them rather than at them. I think they liked that I spoke to them like adults. I think they liked that I was speaking from MY heart to them.
My very favorite part of the whole encounter was as I was getting ready to head to class. They asked me if I lived on campus or at home! This is how I knew they were freshman. Seriously. I laughed a long laugh and reminded them that I had teens of my own and as much as I would love to experience dorm life on a college campus, it was MANY years too late for that for me.
Each time I saw any of the four of them throughout the semester, they each said, "Hi!" to me. I like to think I made a small difference at that one moment. It was just before Thanksgiving break and I knew they missed home. They needed an adult, a mom, who would listen to them, and, most importantly, listen with her own heart while chatting with them.
Even if it hurts, because let's face it, sometimes it does, listen to your heart today...it doesn't steer you in the wrong direction.
L-O-N-G story short, we had an entire discussiom about how they wanted to live their lives. They had many questions for me. My final response to them was to ignore the chatter in their head and listen to their hearts. Apparently, they really appreciated that answer as is evidenced by what happened next. With tears in their eyes, all four of them asked me for a hug. I think they liked that I laughed with them rather than at them. I think they liked that I spoke to them like adults. I think they liked that I was speaking from MY heart to them.
My very favorite part of the whole encounter was as I was getting ready to head to class. They asked me if I lived on campus or at home! This is how I knew they were freshman. Seriously. I laughed a long laugh and reminded them that I had teens of my own and as much as I would love to experience dorm life on a college campus, it was MANY years too late for that for me.
Each time I saw any of the four of them throughout the semester, they each said, "Hi!" to me. I like to think I made a small difference at that one moment. It was just before Thanksgiving break and I knew they missed home. They needed an adult, a mom, who would listen to them, and, most importantly, listen with her own heart while chatting with them.
Even if it hurts, because let's face it, sometimes it does, listen to your heart today...it doesn't steer you in the wrong direction.
