Hey All. We realize that life is learned through our experiences and who we become is affected by them. We can't always expect what comes our way....................we can only try and listen to our hearts and walk on that road that seems less traveled.
We were in the fourth grade at Crooked Billet Elementary. It was late winter and a very cold and sunny day as we walked to school. We crossed Old York Road as Mrs Shields, our Crossing Guard held up the rush hour traffic. We made our way through the backstreets and crossed the bridge that separated the small residential neighborhood behind us from the school grounds. Just a little farther along path, the trees faded to open up to large fields that had several low places that often held water and froze over when the cold invaded after a rain.
He was all bundled up with a knit hat, gloves and his heavy winter coat as we all stopped by the small ponds of frozen water. Many kids picked up what stones that could be found and hurled them to try and brake through the surface. Someone took his hat and threw it out on the ice............... kids started to get worked up and started cheering. His apprehension was a painful expression as he looked around at everyone, not sure what to do.....................and then someone grabbed his lunch and book bag and tossed them out as well. This brought more cheering from the boys and girls in the audience..................and the group grew even louder as more kids stopped by to watch. Then some of the kids decided that he should should join his possessions out on the ice. He suddenly found himself trying to keep his feet from going out from under him...................... as he slid out on to the ice from a hard shove from behind. His panic could be seen and felt through his pained expression, as he unsuccessfully tried to keep his balance. He fell hard which brought a loud chorus of approval, as did the next two falls...................the last of which broke through the surface. . He became instantly soaked to the skin.with the shock of the icy water and as he stood up there was a low murmur.............................. as a kid made his way out onto the ice. The kid picked up the lunch and book bags and cautiously skated over to help the the shivering boy from falling again...................only to brake through the ice and get wet too. The pair made it back to frozen ground with a few slips.......................the crowd watching in silence, waiting to see how they would make out.
The kid was smaller than his soaked companion but he grabbed him by the arm and told him to keep walking as led him up the paved path to school......................wanting to get distance from the group of kids behind him. The tall boy was shivering as they tried to hurry along..................the kid took of his hat and coat and instructed the taller boy to put them on................he did this but the sleeves were 3 inches too short. The tall kid asked" Where are we going?" "To the Office. You need dry clothes and we need to report this to the principal", the kid answered back. The bottom of their pant legs were frozen sheets by the time the made their way inside.
The Principals' name was Mr Thompson. He called the homes of the boys and explained what had happened..................................their Mothers would be right over with dry clothes. Mr Thompson asked the boys what had happened and who was involved..................the tall boy didn't know much, as it happened so fast and there were too many kids there. The smaller boy knew a little more so Mr Thompson took him into his office....................... he refused to admit that he knew of any of his classmates involved. The Moms arrived and were told the story as the boys waited in the nurses office with blankets wrapped around them. The tall kids Mom was angry about what had happened to her son......................justifiably so. She heard about what the smaller kid had done and went to talked to him, but Mr Thompson talked to her in a few whispered words in the doorway...................................and her countenance changed, her disapproval of this boy was evident.
The smaller boy sat looking out the window......................thinking about the events from that morning. He could see and feel the fear and panic in the taller boy and he felt embarrassed and ashamed. He knew what it was like to be out on the ice alone....................the target of someones idea of fun....................without help in sight. At first, he was glad it was the taller boy they were after that morning. Then, as he watched the event unfold, he realized that this was what he looked like. A view from the other side.............................when things like this happened to him............................and along with his shame, he felt anger. Angry at the crowd....................even angrier with himself, for he knew firsthand, how that taller boy felt, but hid within the crowd and became one of them. Angry at himself for being relieved that it was happening to someone else.......................................angry for being afraid, angry for not being strong enough to try and stop what was happening. .......................and the shame he felt was overwhelming.................................. for the same reasons. It was that same anger and shame that overshadowed his fear as walked out onto the ice.
The boy sat looking out the window........................... alone in in a room in the late afternoon. He wasn't proud of himself.......................but realized that he did the best he could to right his wrong. He would serve his detentions in silence............................... he knew he deserved them. He was guilty......................he was.................... that push from behind.
I'll always remember the lesson I learned that day. Although I was they only one punished that day, I've also learned that I am only responsible for my own sins. I still feel a twinge inside when I think of my part in causing someone else pain. Standing against a crowd or what is popular is not an easy thing to do..................it takes conviction, courage and strength. Mr Frost..................I hope that you will forgive me...............that fourth grade kid, who will always remember the lesson you taught him as victim of others. You have taught me to be a better person, a stronger person..........................I'm sorry for what it cost you.
Until the next time.......................................God Bless.
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