The Valiant King

This post has been long overdue and the hardest to write.

A part of me was waiting for a happy ending to happen and so here it is...

The king has been through a lot these past few months.

The bullying he endured in the past few years from classmates he knew since he was four.

In the last couple of years they changed on him.

All of the sudden it was no longer cool anymore to be unique.

He has never made any secret of who he is

because I have always celebrate his individualism.

His "differences" made him a target in a place he felt safe at one time.

They bullied him because: he has a smaller frame, does not really have a liking to sports (although he has a killer swing at bat), he looooves to read (prefers sci-fi/ adventure, old classics), he does not prefer violent video games, he is awesome at drawing (he doesn't believe it), he is a poet, he loves math and science.

Even though bullied, he gave them the benefit of doubt and saw something good in them.

At times some kids had changed by his kindness... but most betrayed him.

This was the hardest to recover from.

To this day the hardest to forget.

the king customizing his burger

It is a hard thing for an eleven year old boy to know that all these wonderful differences make up who he is. It is a harder thing for an eleven year old boy to see that these things, these differences are not celebrated. That "different" is something to be ridiculed.
He was losing faith in people.
The king and I had long conversations at night in between the tears to make sense of it all.
Until the next night to then go through it all again.
Our conversations opened up to even discussing hurting himself and suicide.
He knows of stories of kids that are bullied and ends badly.
He asures me that he is not a statistic but one that will make a change for the better.
He sees the good in people even through the pain.
He is the bravest person I know.
He is the bravest person I know.

a lunch with just the boys

After countless meetings with school staff, teachers, parents and principal.
I had to do what was in his best interest and take this straight A student
out of the school in the middle of 5th grade year.
Some people had the best intentions but after awhile it was forgotten and then back to the same ol'.
The principal said "if you leave you are running away from the situation."
(holding my boriqua tongue) I said "not running away but running to something better."
Just like that he left the only school he had ever known and entered a bigger school in one day.
I was as nervous as if he was going to college.
He came out that day all smiles.. and I was so relieved. The weight was lifted.
The king said "mom! I have so many friends, it was an awesome day!"
In this class he was cool because he is different.

The boys in guitar heaven

Because of this he is stronger, confident, smarter.... and now a writer.

He is presently writing a book about all of his experiences every night.

Before he goes off to bed he lets me read his new additions and I savor every word.

He is a gifted writer and told him I will do everything to get it published.

He amazes me every night with his choice of words, humor and honesty.

It has been a great release and savior for him.

the king wants to learn guitar

the captain playing a tune

He chooses to write with a number two or three pencil and loose leafs of paper.
I think he has more control over his story this way.
He has a brilliant style of writing.
And I will say it again... He is the bravest person I know.
It is a rare sight to see him smile so wide, high fivin' friends after school,
but I can get used to that.

We are getting ready for another big change ... moving from NY to Georgia.
Today we are starting to box e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g we own.
Will be keeping my posts updated of the move in the coming months.

Like this tree the king has broken out of the mold.
Not falling or breaking
But no longer needing to have something to hold
He has grown roots so big that can no longer sustain the old
He can now grow on his own.
And roots strong enough to break the concrete.

Any brave exciting changes in your life?