someone comes into your life, and leaves a lasting impression. The Summer of 2013, I met such a person, Noah, a six year old neighbor boy. When I would sit outside, I would see Noah roaming the neighborhood for hours, and hours, and hours, and well hours. He always seemed so lost, and was always alone.
I took Noah under my wing so to speak. We would build flying saucers out of paper plates, and draw little green men in the windows. We would watch movies and eat popcorn while sitting outside on the patio. Noah would try to do some kind of running and jumping trick, and I would take pictures. We made paper airplanes and had races. Oh some of the planes were so cool! They would fly in a circle, just loop around. You couldn't race with those planes, well unless you made the start and finish line at the same place. It was fun.
Sometimes Noah's sisters and other kids would stop by. I noticed a difference in Noah when the other kids were around. He acted different. If they chided him for being a troublemaker, then he would be one. I knew that wasn't the real Noah. The real Noah was thoughtful. The real Noah looked at you with wonder, when you would tell him that meeting a bear in the woods would make you wet your pants too. Well, it would so why lie about it?
One day Noah knocked on the door with tears in his eyes. I went outside to see what was wrong. He told me they would be moving. In the weeks before Noah moved, we made some kick ass paper airplanes! Had some great air plane races! And laughed and talked. Noah told me he wanted to be a Scientist when he grew up. One day I asked Noah who I was going to play with after he moved. He laughed and said "Sarah". I told him that wouldn't be the same, so no not Sarah. Sarah was another neighbor kid, that sad to say was from generations of mean girls, and was on her way to becoming a mean girl too.
Noah moved, and from time to time his folks would let him visit for a few minutes. Wasn't the same around here. Even Boo Duh, the cat, missed seeing Noah. Around Christmas, Noah's Mom posted a picture on FaceBook of Noah wrapping a present. A few days later, Noah knocked on the door and gave the present to me. It was my Christmas present from Noah. The present spoke so loudly of Noah's thoughtfulness, it was a journal for me to write in. Thoughtful Noah even gave me a pen. That was the Noah I had gotten to know over the Summer of 2013. I sent Noah a just because present of a book on how to make "world class" paper airplanes. His Mom posted a picture of him with the book. I didn't know anyone could smile such a big smile as Noah did.
I started this blog post in December 2013. It is now nearing Autumn 2014. Summer is over. It was not an especially good Summer, because there was no Noah to play with. One time his Mom posted a picture of him making some even more kick ass paper airplanes, out of paper that looked like birds and flags. She said Noah wanted me to know that he was using his book. She also posted pictures of Noah accepting certificates for excellent reading, and doing so well in school. I smiled.
Did I have anything to do with the changes in Noah? I shrug. Who can say. One thing I know for certain is that I can attribute some of the changes in myself to Noah taking me under his wing. Thank you Noah.
3 comments:
The adult molds the child; the child molds the adult. You have an interesting and an enjoyable tale to tell, Boni. I am sure both you and Noah will have happy memories of your "adventures together" in future years.
You have been away from your blog for a long time. I am curious to see if this story means a return or if, so to speak, you are just passing through.
Either way, it is nice to see you here again ....
Hi Fram,
Part of my goal last Summer, was to let kids know they had a place to come where they could be kids, and be safe. I like the trust I built with Noah. Towards the end of Summer other kids started coming over too. They were all told they had to follow my rules, or leave. It was okay with me that some didn't come back. I like to be around kids. See the world from their perspective, and let them see the world from mine. You can just see the wheels turning when they find out adults are human too, and that we have things we are afraid of.
I have been told in past years that I have had influence over some kids. At one police department I worked for, a girl would come in and we'd talk. Years later she told someone I knew that she became a police officer, because of what I had said to her.
I'm a good cheerleader. I like to encourage and support people to be who and what they want to be. I had a friend thank me today for being so supportive.
Am I back? Ha, boy am I back! No, seriously I probably will be writing more. I have tons of stuff rolling around in my head. I am in a better place now too.
And Mr. Fram, I wanted to comment on your latest post, but comments were disabled, (I've noticed you doing that a lot lately). So, here goes... I loved the Neil Young version of Four Strong Winds, absolutely loved it. I was going to say I must be spending too much time on FaceBook, because I was looking for a like button on your post, ha! I have to say too that Sarah Brightman has no business, in my opinion, of singing Whiter Shade Of Pale, I give that one an unlike.
As always, thanks for stopping by. Hope you have been spending your time "out West" in a good way.
Peace, Boni
Well, I would not necessarily say I am having a good time or spending my time in a good way, Boni, but the journey has not been boring.
Anita and I have been commenting back and forth a bit on my July 30 post, if you are curious about more information in that regard.
I am not certain what type of work you are involved in now, but it might be enjoyable for you to be around children in that regard. I am sure you have thought of that, but I wanted to mention it anyway. A soft heart and delicate emotions need to be where they can serve the most good, I think, and helping children up the ladder to adulthood is a place where help often is in short supply these days.
I think many people spend less time on the blogs because of Facebook.
You are not a fan of Sarah, it seems. Frankly, I liked her appearance more when she looked like a pudgy farm girl than now in her current "vamp-like" persona and I preferred her more youthful voice when it had greater "body" to it -- but, I still could listen to her all day. And, if you are not familiar with the original Ian and Sylvia Tyson version of "Four Strong Winds," give it a try. It is cowboy all the way.
I hope you do post more often, Boni.
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