Making Connections

This week, both ASid and I are back to "work". I have my first week of summer tutoring schedule and ASid has a week of voluntary work at a French Art Camp. He is actually "working" more hours than I am. He is also quite resentful that I requested him to sign up to be a volunteer!

At the March meeting that Lady A, G and I attended, I joined this French committee on an impulse. I surprised everyone with that move; however, I was thinking about ASid then. 

This boy of mine was in French Immersion for 9 school years - SK to Grade 8. He was good enough to go to Paris, France and have conversations and memorable experiences. He had to leave French Immersion only because he got into a specialized high school program. This program is all about Math, Computers and Science. ASid has been doing alright and finished Grade 11 with an average of 85%. That average, if repeated next year in Grade 12, will not be good enough for him to get into the program of his choice at a university of his preference. We have had this talk already and the boy is very well aware of the consequences of his lackadaisical actions and/or choices. And he has NO Plan B!

But I have a Plan B. ASid could always do something with his knowledge of French. To that end, I keep encouraging him to spend his summer vacations immersed in French in some way. I do not care if he earns money or not. I am most interested in him working with the right people and making useful connections. That is why he is resentful!

Today, he had to wake up at 6 am and had to leave home at 7 am. He volunteered from 8 am to 4 pm, and got back home at 5:30 pm. That is a work day for most people. The only difference is that ASid did not get paid for the hours he put in today and same goes for the rest of the week. The boy would have given 40 hours of his life to this French Art Camp at the end of this week. Although he keeps saying he is doing it for me, I hope he realizes the benefits somewhat. He is actually engaged in an environment where he gets to practise speaking French. He is also making connections by associating with a French language organization. And all he "sees" is that his life has been interrupted for a week!

I hope he is able to "see" beyond what he perceives to be painful and appreciate the opportunity for what it is.

Meanwhile, Hans has been connecting with Craigley. They were in Jasper today. Hans still misses home terribly. Hans calls me every day and sends text messages and has even gotten his dad to send emails with picture attachments! Both father and son have done many wonderful activities together. Today, Hans informed me that he may have finally learned to swim! And that was unbelievable news to me. Craigley does not like swimming and has never encouraged the boys to learn to swim. It has been mostly me wanting the boys to learn this lifesaving skill. ASid eventually did so at the age of 9. Hans is 10 now and I was thinking about trying swimming with him again. And of all the people in his life, it was his dad who got him back into that water and got him to swim!

Both the boys are at different ages and have different interests. Summers won't be the same again. Hopefully, we have a few more family vacations left to go on. As of now, I am content with the choices I made for the boys. One day, I hope they can look back on these moments with a little less resentment than what they feel right now.

Addendum:

So, why did I mention my tutoring in this post?! I guess I wanted the boys to know that I had no Plan B as well when I ventured out to start my own tutoring business. I spent 2 years looking for a location along with my 2 friends and business partners. I only gave up to focus on Hans' CW prep. That was when I met Nicey's parents and decided to take her on to provide some financial relief to them. A few months later, my home became The Location I was looking for. It is not entirely ideal, but my one connection led to many other connections...

And slowly but surely, I have somewhat achieved my Plan A. And maybe ASid will too!