Namedropping...

I was very nervous about Ben starting Middle School.  I'd heard rumors that Middle School is now more challenging socially than even High School.  Plus, I know from previous experiences with Ben how challenging change can be for him.  So imagine my surprise and delight when he started O'Keeffe Middle School and just flourished.  When Zibbi and I would happen to pass the school, I'd sometimes spot the gym teachers outside.  When I'd chat with them, they would just say what a great guy Ben is.  (Our friend, Brittany who is an 8th grade teacher, explained that when you work in Middle School, you really have to seek out allies.)  They told me that if Ben was in class, everything was better. And when I attended his open house in the fall, I would walk into the room, trying to be my sparkliest best to his teachers.  But when BEN would walk into the room, their faces would light up.  I thought they might just elbow me out of the way to get to him. 

Whenever there is a concert at school, it is always a bit shocking.  All of Ben's classmates are now older than Ellie ever was.  And I go into the gymnasium, picturing 3rd-4th grade looking students and instead they are 7th graders!  Every time, I imagine I won't have the experience this time.  And every time I walk in and feel teary, and just cross my fingers they will play a sad piece that I can cry along to. A song so sad, I could look around me in astonishment to anyone NOT crying because, what are you a robot?  Every time, as I walk in to find a seat, Ben will spot me and start waving his hand wildly.  Instead of pretending he does not have parents, like his classmates, he just full on owns it.  It always makes my heart soar with love for his bravery and willingness to be who he is regardless of who he is surrounded by.  I once asked him how having Ellie as a sister impacted him, he said he felt like it made him kinder.  I have to agree, he has excelled in the kindness department.

Yesterday I volunteered at the first ever Future Quest.  All Dane County middle schools were invited to the Convention Center for exhibits displaying different career paths.  As I was chatting up the coordinator of my section, a teacher came out of the exhibition hall upset.  She asked if we could not be nice to her for a second (I am assuming this was because she didn't want to cry more).  I offered her water, because that is recommended as helpful in any situation.  She left the building and came back a few minutes later.  We started chatting and she asked who I was, and as soon as I said, "Ben Kennedy's mom", her whole face lit up.  It was as if just hearing his name, made her feel as equally happy as she'd felt unhappy just moments before.  Which, of course, made me tear up.  (It reminded me of how we used to suggest at the hospital that everyone namedrop how we were the "Kennedys", if that would help get things accomplished until we realized at the hospital it is the name "Iskandar" that gets things done...).  That guy, somehow, has found a way to shine and jed (joy spread) even in Middle School.  If he can do that, he can do anything.