An Ode to Will

Since November 2018, when we first floated the idea of leaving San Francisco for the year, our sensitive boy with the most tender heart stuck to his guns about his position: He didn't want to go. He didn't like change. He likes our house. It's hard for him to make friends.  What happens to all of his legos? For the love of God, what will he do without all of his books? Okay, fine, he'll go on sabbatical. But only to live with a grandma in either Chicago or Minnesota.

We knew this would be the hardest on him and also build and bolster him in ways that he (and we!) can never imagine. So we support and love and validate and push because we know it will be good. But, goddamn, it's hard to watch!

This is him discovering that in addition to going to a fully Spanish school, one of his classes will be French language class. Eeeeps.

We went out for dinner after the 3rd day of school because it was Pedro's last night in town before he returned to San Francisco. The camarero (waiter) encouraged the boys to order in Spanish and brought blankets over to keep the chill away. Will was just waxing on and on about his feelings at this moment. "I'm just sad and confused and bored all day" Dagger in the heart. (Meanwhile, there's a Fanta commercial playing on repeat in Leo's head)

I found this drawing in Will's backpack. Is this his dream situation? Everyone just happy and friendly and reading books?? What is he doing in that school all day without us???!!

Fun food and drinks are Will's carrots to get through hard times and always have been. Also scheduled snugglefests with the family. Yes, he is a nine year old that requests daily snugglefests with the entire family. World, please be cool to him!!!

The second week of school was the toughest so far: he has a different teacher for science class and she yelled at him in front of the whole class for sneaking peeks at his English book under the desk. He came home upset and we talked it out. We thought he had processed it and it was ok. But sunset and bedtime always bring out Will's anxieties and the floodgates really opened as he lay in bed. It was heartbreaking to witness. He felt isolated and friendless in school and homesick for his family, friends and familiarity in San Francisco. We validated, reassured, hugged and promised ice cream and treats if he could make it through the week.

The same week all this went down the boys found a Crayola paint kit in the closet and they were left unsupervised by the pool. I was on the phone when I heard Pat yelling and ran out to find him scrubbing like hell in several spots around the pool. ****PSA*****Apparently you can wash crayola paints out of clothing, skin and most other surfaces but NOT concrete!!! Beware of crayola paints when you are staying in a rental! ****end of PSA**** The boys were cowering in fear and saying, "The paint spilled over! It was an accident. We didn't mean to!" as both Pat and I tried 400 different toxic substances to scrub it out. So much swearing from Pat. A 45 minute phone call to the Crayola helpline (this exists) for me. We left it and decided to worry about it in the morning. When we walked out at 8 am in the morning, the "spill" had come into focus: 

At least his demoralizing and difficult experiences at the school haven't completely gone to his head? 

Shout out to all of you offering moral support and deep breathing exercises for me! Shout out to my bilingual babes Vanessa and Cecilia for reiterating that this experience will be worth it! (Direct quote from Cece: "Is all part of the process! He will come so much stronger, wiser, flexible, open minded and funnier! All his virtues and qualities will duplicate and he will touch even more hearts after this language journey!" (All of his virtues duplicating and touching even more hearts? I'll take it!)  Shout out to Molly G for offering to fly to Granada on a dime to knock around the science teacher. Shout out to the goddesses (Natasha, Sarah, Cece, Colette & Bryn) setting intentions for Will and holding his highly sensitive self high in your hearts (I think I saw him levitating with a golden orb around him the other day...this must have been your work?) Shout out to Pedro for being his biggest Spanish cheerleader.  Shout out to our families & friends for frequent facetimes and messages of encouragement. It takes a village and even though most of it is 6000 miles away, we feel your support and love! And it helps. He's going to make it and come out the loving, sensitive, empathic bilingual food critic we know he's going to be.