Bluebird

The kids didn't see me as I walked across the field to the playground where they gather after school. I could see Henry, dump his backpack on the ground and start to run off. Then he stopped and shouted at a table of classmates, "Hey guys! Look! Look! A bluebird! Look at that color! Hey guys! Guys!" The other kids didn't look or even respond.

As I got closer and Henry could see me, I said, "I saw that bluebird. It must have nest nearby (We'd seen 2 the day before). How cool!"

He ran off and I sat down to watch the kids play.

Henry gathered up the latest book he was reading and sat down at the table with the other kids. They were just being kids. Middle schoolers. Laughing and pushing and teasing. Then they turned their attention to him...mocked him. Teased him. Ran him off.

I saw him. He was just a kid who wanted to read and sit with some friends. They saw something different. Someone different. And that to middle schoolers is a weakness.

I found Henry where he'd run off to and was reading. I told him that we should go home.

I know that kids will be kids. I know that middle school is hard. Especially when you aren't like everyone else. I didn't realize that it would be just as hard to watch this as it was to live it.

We went home and talked and I let Henry know that, like he saw that bluebird, that flash of color so bright, I see him. I see his brightness and his wings.

It's too bad that those other kids don't. If only they'd look up for a minute, they'd see something special... before it flies away.