The way home
Markus was so excited to take the bus and walk home from school. On his first attempt, he went in the wrong direction on our street and got turned around. I received a call from the crossing guard who said he had my lost son with him. The guard described where he was, and I rushed out of my house-- in bedroom slippers in the snow to fetch him. I got W on the phone to let him know what was happening. After a minute, I saw Markus with the crossing guard at a distance. He had his bag on his back and his ball in his hand. I pulled up, waved thanks to the guard, and Markus entered the car. His face crumbled into tears. Hot tears streamed from those frightened blue eyes. A sensitive child, Markus is prone to crying easily when angry or frustrated, but this was fear and maybe some embarrassment. Because of my therapy work, I knew I had to approach this moment with a mind for the future. I said, "I am so sorry you turned the wrong way." It's crazy how the streets work, but I am...