What they carry - the weight of life on teenagers

How are kids supposed to want to live in a world where the places they’re forced to be don’t meet them where they’re at?

I had the opportunity to speak with some local high school students recently. I say opportunity, because their vulnerability was evident. I've been trying to be supportive of their dreams and aspirations, and, because of that, I think they feel more open to talking with me about what their lives are like.

One student was getting to know his father for the first time. A teenager, living with family members other than his parents, slowly building something with his dad that most of us take for granted.

Another was a young woman with no family to speak of. She’s living in a car, parking in alleys behind friends’ houses, sleeping there and getting ready in their bathrooms when she can. When she can’t, she goes to school the moment the doors open. You would never guess it by looking at her.

Another kid was new to his school this year, slowly learning English. If it wasn’t for his soccer skills, he’d likely still be getting bullied.

These are a few among many. And these are kids who can’t open up to faculty or are afraid to. The fear is reasonable. What happens when faculty finds out? What happens if their people at home find out? What are the repercussions? What does it mean when you can’t find safety in the one place that’s supposedly trying to help you?

I don’t have clean answers. What I do have are dreams.

My dreams include those high school students who are still looking for a place where they have space to be loved.

My dreams include the immigrants who went on strike to demand better pay and working conditions.

My dreams include the 11-year-old girl I played pick-up basketball with recently who thought she wasn’t good enough to play with the boys.

My dreams include the artist who is in transition and nervous about coming out.

My dreams include my divorced friend who finally realized they can breathe after years of being shunned from shining.

My dreams include my friend looking for a partner, wondering if it’s too late in life to share moments with another soul.

My dreams, most importantly, include you. If you have the ability to read this and the energy to feel something, to wake up one more day, to keep taking one more step, to keep showing up not just for everyone else but also for yourself…

My dream includes you too.