My Story

Velma McAdam

I came home from school today And I cried because Minnie’s brother shot himself And I didn’t have the words to help Minnie internalize the fact that this wasn’t her fault. But, I’ll go back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because Savanna’s welfare cheque isn’t enough to cover The cost of a scientific calculator and milk for her 8 month old And I only had enough to lend to allow her to buy milk. But, I’ll go back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because someone provoked Charlie to the point where his Anger Management training fell apart And I could only spend a few remaining moments together trying to convince him that he was still a human being with some personal worth. But, I’ll go back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because I know the teacher in the room next to me is on The verge of a nervous breakdown And I can only bring her flowers and hope that something pretty is Enough to keep her from going over the edge altogether. But, I’ll go back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried. Graduation is coming up and Suzanne has no special shoes to set off the borrowed dress she’ll wear And I can only offer to lend her a pair of mine And hope they don’t give her blisters But, I’ll come back and try again tomorrow. I came home from school today And I cried because Peter and Jackson “put the boots” to one of Their classmates last night, And just when I thought they were finally going to give life a fair shot. But, I’ll come back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because Sandra has been diagnosed with leukemia And I can’t figure out the “why” myself never mind Trying to explain it to others. But, I’ll come back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because Duncan’s alcoholism has gotten so out of hand that We found him retching in the bathroom at 1:30 this afternoon And I’m told “we’re a schoolhouse - not a detox centre.” But, I’ll come back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because I just discovered that my $8 bag of junk food prizes has been “ripped off” And just when I’d begun to feel these were a Bunch of” kids” that I could trust. But, I’ll go back and try again tomorrow.

I came home from school today And I cried because The Minister of Education has decided I’m a Bad teacher because I cost too much money And because no matter how I try, all of My Minnies and Peters will never be Rhodes scholars And I really, really, really did give them 110% Of all that I had to offer.

But she won’t ever get to know that Because you see, She has successfully snuffed my will to go back tomorrow. n