Life Just Schooled Me and It's a Lesson I Will Remember Forever

What's the saying...You never know the battle another person may be fighting?  It happens for kids, too.  Just because they are kids doesn't mean their world is any less complicated.  Maybe it's more complicated because they don't have the ability to take charge of every situation.  

​​One of our vendors brings his grandson in when he's picking up or dropping off work.  His average length of time in our office can be 30-60 minutes.  To say the kid is a handful is polite.  I try to avoid him as much as I can.

My Dad brings the kid into the office & I'm thinking ah, man.  It's clear I'm to entertain him so the work crew can focus on their installation. I sit down and talk to the kid.  Whadda ya know, he is smart, witty and now I can see he's a really cute kid.  He's actually pretty adorable.  The more we talk, the more his energy levels out.  

​I spend all of 15 min with him and he says "you know, I have the PERFECT guy for you!".  I laugh and point to my wedding band.  I say little man, that's what this ring means...I HAVE the perfect guy.  He says yeah, but we can swap that ring out.  Because he thinks his dad would be perfect for me.  In fact, he will ask his mom to take off her ring so I can put it on & she can go away.  I am taken off guard.  He stops and says "you seem like a nice lady".  I say thank you and he says "it's settled".  What is happening here?  I say oh no, buddy, that's not how that works.  He decides he knows what my lack of enthusiasm might be.  I can see his little mind turning.  His eyes light up and he asks "ever heard of a mall?".  I say of course!  He says how bout my dad takes you to the mall and you pick out your own ring, you don't have to wear my mom's ring!  I tell him that is a generous offer, but I have a husband I love and it just doesn't work like that.  We can be friends though!  He draws picture of me and writes "I like you" on it.  I tell him I like him, too.  I will never lie to a kid.  I REALLY do like him.  Shame on me for not seeing past his behavior issues before now.  His grandpa comes in and says "you can tell he's mine, flirting with the pretty ladies".  Daniel grabs granddad's hand as they walk away.  I hear Daniel say she's not pretty, she's beautiful and she's a princess!  I melt.  And I feel shame for not taking a minute for this kid before now.  How he glamorized me in his mind after about 30 minutes of attention tells me a lot. 

​My Dad says the reason he brought Daniel into the office is because his mom was out there helping with an install.  She said she doesn't like Daniel and doesn't even want him.  Our vendor said "well, that's why I have custody!".  Granddad is the only stability.  Mom and dad are in and out of jail, along with other psychological issues.    

​So here's Daniel, all of 5 years old, dealing with a world he never asked for.  He doesn't have behavioral issues, he has logistical problems.  He was born into a messed up situation.  He's fighting a battle no one knows about.  I hope the world will be kind to him.  I certainly will.