High School: New School, New Beginnings 6 of 9 part series

 Ok… Here we go again… breathe in, breathe out. Anxiety seemed to be our new normal. It was the first day of a new beginning. A fresh start. A LOT of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. I figured if we made it through the nightmare we had just been through, we could get through this, right?

Your driver showed up, pulled into the driveway, introduced themselves and took you on a 45-minute drive to a private school a few towns away. I secretly was mourning the loss of our time together, but so thankful for this new opportunity. You deserve to be able to walk into a school and feel like you fit in. And I was certain that was what this school was going to be for you. You came home happy, but exhausted. That didn’t last as long as I had hoped it would.

Remember the false hope we talked about in your 6th grade year? That happened here too. I think I had hoped so badly that private school was the answer that I missed all the signs that you weren’t happy. In my mind, if I just willed it away, maybe you’d figure it out? Fat chance. The phone calls and emails started once again. Oof…. What now?!

At your new school, each student is assigned an advisor. I reached out to yours. He was young. In fact, I remember thinking, “Is this guy even old enough to be a teacher?” We talked for almost an hour. He shared his story, how he too was dyslexic. How his mom fought for him, just like I did for you. He assured me that he had your back, and he would do everything in his power to help you find your place. He was all things amazing, but he wasn’t the answer. Your academic frustration had drastically improved, but you were still struggling to feel like you fit in. And that made my heart hurt. You managed to make it through another school year, but it was hard, and we were exhausted.

Up next, 10th grade. Lord, please let this be a better year. We were quickly running out of time.

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