I feel that there are fewer adults today who can truly enjoy and cherish the growth of the children right in front of them. Instead, children are often treated either as vulnerable subjects in need of protection or, conversely, as objects of exploitation. As a result, it seems that the places where children truly belong are disappearing.
Today, I found a young boy crouching in front of my house. Thinking he might be up to some mischief, I called out to him in a somewhat stern, intimidating tone: “What are you doing there?” The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. The boy looked down with a profound sadness and merely whispered, “I’m sorry.”
It was just after 6:00 PM. The boy looked to be under ten years old. School would have finished long ago, yet he wasn’t with a guardian or friends; he was crouching all alone in front of our home.
Had something unpleasant happened at school? Or perhaps he had a falling out while playing with friends? Whatever the case, the boy standing there surely felt he couldn’t go straight home. If he had a place where he truly belonged, he would have been able to return there directly, no matter what had happened.
At the time, my thoughts didn’t go that far. Since I had a cold and didn’t want to pass it on, I simply told him, “It’s fine, just head home now,” and sent him on his way. I hope he was able to go straight home after that. If there had been an adult nearby willing to listen—or a sanctuary where he felt welcome—perhaps that boy wouldn’t have had to stand alone in front of a stranger’s house.
Yet, I realize now that the “adult nearby” should have been me. It was poor timing, but perhaps my cold is ultimately just an excuse. That said, in today’s social climate, it is increasingly difficult to casually strike up a conversation even with someone standing right outside your own door. Seeing the boy’s sorrowful face and knowing I could do nothing for him leaves me with a heavy heart.
