Every kid is ONE caring adult away from being a success story.

It's been almost 6 years since I taught him in 4th grade. He was a rough kid around the edges, but so were many in the class. But I got him. I understood. He came to school with baggage. Most of the time he slept at his best friends house, who was also in my class, "what's one more kid when you already have 6 boys?" she would ask. He played football. It was important to him and so I went to a game or two. Because I cared and if I cared and he knew it, maybe he would care about his school work too. Just maybe I would be one more person who cared about him. He wanted to be professional football player. He talked football all day. We had a conversation one day.

"You know if you want to play ball in middle school and high school you need to keep the grades up or you wont play."
"Yeah Ms. Skilling I know."
It was almost a daily conversation as things would be tossed across my class like a football.

Then one day the best friend came in.
"He's gone Ms. Skilling." he said holding back the tears.
"What do you mean he's gone?"
"His mom dropped him off at the airport with a suitcase and told him he was going to go live with his dad. He didn't even get to say good-bye."

I emailed *mom of 6 boys* right away.
She confirmed what was told to me by her heartbroken child. Later that day I got a Facebook message from *him*
Ms. Skilling I'm so sorry. I didn't know I was going to go. I didn't get to say good-bye. Tell the class I'm sorry. Tell them I miss them.
I didn't respond. I couldn't. I instead emailed the mom.
Please tell him that I hope he does well. That his class misses him and hopes he is ok. That I miss him.
She emailed me back and said she had offered to fly him back home and take custody of him. I commended her for her thoughtfulness and she said she knew I would understand. She saw me at the games, as it was her sons team too. She knew I understood. She sent me back an image and it stuck with me.

Three years later. Another message.
Hey Ms. Skilling its me *name* remember me?
And this time I respond.
Hi, *name* yes, I remember you. Hope you are well.
I'm doing well. Are you still doing Zumba?
Yes, I am! 6 days a week.

That was the end of the conversation.

Today.
Hey Ms. Skilling! It's me *name* remember me?
Hello *name*
How have you been?
I've been doing well, *name*, how about you?
Good. Playing football and keeping my grades up.
Good! You still out of state with your dad?
Yes. But I'm coming back to Maine in May for good and I wanted you to know.

Maybe next fall I'll be sitting at another football game and cheering on the boy, who, despite it all, is still playing football, keeping his grades up and surviving despite it all. Maybe one day I'll be watching him play for the NFL on my living room TV.