I saw them sitting in the foyer and walked over. Jodie smiled as she always had when she was in my class this time last year. Declan's response was more muted but he nodded in my direction. His way of saying hello.
The boy was signing off from school today. He had turned 16.
His baby, in a cosy blue sleep-suit, looked content in his mother's arms, as he sucked his milk from the plastic bottle.
Framed behind their seat was the school's little nativity scene and its juxtaposition with the little family before my eyes was so striking and obvious, that even I noticed it.
"What you going to do after leaving school," I asked Declan.
"Dunno. Nothing I guess..."
What struck me was Jodie's serenity as she held her little boy. In spite of having her life turned upside down, she seemed as content as the nursing child.
Even so, the last time I saw both of them, they were just kids.
Now they're thrust into the world of parenthood with all its ups and downs...
Again I thought of Mary and Joseph, these immortalised superheroes of great faith.
Just kids.
And I thought, to trust the Christ-child with kids is surely the most amazing act of Christmas.
i know quite a few, being a high school teacher...
ReplyDeletejust recently saw one that i did counseling with about 3 years ago when he left home after having his first baby...was great to see he was doing well...
How young for them to have a child ~ Perhaps it comes with a blessing and knowing your place & goal that you want in life ~ Thanks for the lovely share ~
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you ~