Forks in the Road

A variety of interesting things happened at TRJE this past Saturday, March 22. During the check-in circle, one of the students read an essay he wrote about Michael Jordan, thanking him for being a great role model. The student said in his writing that he looked up to Jordan because he never gave up on his goals. The student related the fact that when he plays basketball and loses, he thinks of Jordan and remembers to do his best. Then, two students conducted a presentation on Prince Hal, the first black Mason. Because the Mason’s are a secret society, the students voiced their confusion as to why someone would want to be a part of something that was secret. A very valid point, I thought. While I am aware that secret societies are an underlying existence within the fabric of this country, it was surprising to experience the displeasure TRJE students reacted with in questioning one’s dedication to such an institution. I was happy to hear them question the belonging to something segregated from the general public. It was interesting to find out that one of the student’s who performed the presentation has a father who is a member of the Mason’s.
Within the writing circle, students shared writings that are being considered for the TRJE blog. Julia’s was a poem that talked about “Nia” written in the form of Robert Frost. She wrote about staying on a path even though the future is unclear. The word “light” stuck out to me as a metaphor for what all of the students have within their TRJE community. Julia wrote of remembering past mistakes and I thought that was insightful and showed wisdom on her part. Although they are young, the students of TRJE continue to teach me things every week. When Julia mentioned “forks in the road,” I thought of TRJE and how it fell into my “path”, but not in a confusing or chaotic way that many other “forks” have.
Taylor’s writing was the one that has continued to stay with me. I reflected on it off and on all weekend and shared a condensed version of what I heard with my husband. Taylor wrote more of a journal or diary entry than a poem. She started out by saying that without music, she would be lost. She used the word freedom in the beginning of her writing. She mentioned her happiness in being a part of activities like The Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, TRJE and school choir. Her commitments to these outside resources help her to get through the fighting that goes on within her home. She wrote that she doesn’t let these negative things show when she is with TRJE and felt it pointless to be writing of them at all. I wanted to hug her and tell her to keep her eye on her goals and to keep writing.
I have noticed Taylor as a quiet girl. It made me sad to know that she has a hard time of it at home, but I was happy at the same time. She is involved in positive communities and had found a writing voice. I understood the vulnerability that comes with releasing the struggling voices that float around, but considered her brave and strong for putting her thoughts to paper. I hope she keeps her writing and is able to look back on it someday when she is an adult. It was sad that to be that she feels unrecognized within her family relationships, but her opportunities to bond with her peers in the TRJE community was comforting. Not many people have that.