I know it's been a long time since I've written. You can thank the Bedrock Police Department for my lack of computer access. Go figure...someone whose very job is dependent upon a computer is denied one when the motherboard in hers goes to hell. Yes, well, I never claimed to understand the finer workings of men's minds, let alone policemen's minds.

Bitter? Me? Nooooo.

So, the one bright point in my life continues to be the Bad Ass Boy's Home. In fact, last night was Parent's Night. I've been looking forward to and dreading the gathering at the same time. Unfortunately, prior to their parents arriving, the boys had a bit of a melt down and had to be redirected by the entire staff. I tend to think it was the whole idea of seeing their parents at the Home added to all the "stuff" they go through with their families that led to the boys' acting like absolute goons recently. After a very tense study hall, we trudged up the hill to the Main Building for Parent's Night.

I have to admit I was worried that I'd have considerable trouble restraining a primal urge to beat the living hell out of 95% of the parents. I'm a firm believer that the majority of the problems these young men face are directly correlated to their parents. That's not to say that I don't see the boys making colossally bad choices and displaying a lack of responsibility. I do. However, I also believe that had they received a strong foundation from their parents, they would make better choices and take responsibility for their actions. But that's just me. Ahem.

So, last night was a night of praise for the boys. Parent's Night was a chance for them to shine in front of their parents who hadn't really seen their children in a positive light in a very long time. Not all of the boy's received awards last night. Part of my PC, liberal heart was destroyed by this. I wanted every boy to feel special in front of his parents. However, I understand the train of thought that only had seven or so boys receiving awards. Had we tried to find an award for each boy, we'd have been reduced to "Best Usage of the Word Fuck," "Most Improved Soul Blade Player," or "Least Likely To Shank Another Resident."

I can only admit here that I have favorites at the Bad Ass Boy's Home. I do my absolute best to restrain from letting them know it. Yeah, right. And my cover shoot for Cosmo is scheduled for next week. Sigh.

So, anyway, several of my favorites received awards last night and I was the vision of a proud mama. When The Writer received his recognition for Best GPA (3.0) in the high school group after a dismal year last year of nearly all F's and D's, I was beaming. He loped to the front of the chapel where the awards ceremony was being held to receive his award. And then shattered my illusions that these boys hated/should hate their parents when he pulled his mom up from the front row to be in the picture with him when he was given his award. I quickly realized I would be kicking no ass on their behalf tonight.

I actually had to speak in front of the parents last night. I was given the honour of presenting an award to Le Petit Frenchman. He received one of two awards for Effort in a Foreign Language. I felt it was important to recognize the two young men who didn't take the easy way out in school and who were thriving in a "difficult"class much to the chagrin of the counselors who had pigeonholed them as incorrigible and slow learners. Because I had worked so often with Le Petit on his French, the director asked me to present him with the award. I spoke of Petit's passion for French and for learning in general, his proficiency over such a short time, the fact that he shows up for a second study hall even though he's not required to, just so he can work on his French, and the fact that he's thinking in French now...a sure sign that he's on his way to becoming fluent. On his way to the front to receive his award, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard. I nearly came undone. I realized then that his parents had not bothered to show up. Needless to say, I felt just a little bit closer to him at that point.

Up next was The Giggler. Now, I actually know a close member of the The Giggler's family and in fact, we don't always get along. But I absolutely adore The Giggler. He's a beautiful young man, with an infectious laugh, and a sensitive nature that he's not keen on letting many people see. He's one of the hardest working young men I've met in the program. And he received an award for his Work Ethic. The staff waxed poetic about the pride he takes in his chores and grounds keeping. Later, he asked me "Michelle, what the hell is a work ethic? I got an award because I can cut grass? That's fucked up, dude." So I had to explain to him that the time and effort he puts into everything, like working 8 hours on a report on Homer's Odyssey for English class is considered work ethic. He seemed to like that answer much better.

And finally The Genuinely Good Guy got two awards. He received his first award for his consistent behavior, meaning he is consistently a stand up, sweet young man who follows his treatment plan and is working his program to the absolute best of his ability. In addition to being recognized for this, it was also disclosed that he's graduating the program in December. While I'm happy that he's being reunited with his family, I'm going to miss him more than I can ever verbalize. He was the first boy who "took me under his wing" when I first got to the Bad Ass Boy's Home. He showed me the ropes and sat with me at dinner time til the other boys warmed up to me. He's always a gentleman, often rebuking other boys for cursing in my presence. He's also an absolute doll when he's talking about his girlfriend, very respectful. All of these things, coupled with comments from other boys about what a great guy this kid is, led to him receiving a Citizenship Award. His whole family came to the front of the chapel with him to receive his awards. Yet another blow to my preconceptions about the evilness of the families.

After the ceremony was over, we had a meet and greet session with the parents/guardians. I got to meet The Artist's grandmother, who is a sweet old woman who loves this little man with all her heart. They were absolutely adorable together and after several conversations with him, I realize his problems stem from his mother's abandonment of him. The one family I most wanted to meet was that of Saggy Pants. Saggy makes me laugh more than any other resident. He's a good kid, you just have to dig pretty damned deep to find it. His whole family looks exactly alike and they all sound alike too. It was absolutely comical. I told his mom how much I like him and she looked incredulous. I guess not many people choose to spend time with Saggy of their own volition. And believe me, there are times when I can relate to that feeling.

All in all, the evening was a success. A few boys had parents who didn't bother to show up. And those were the boys I spent the evening making over and whom I spent time with when we got back to the cottages to make sure they felt someone gives a shit about them.

Yeah, yeah, yeah....I'm wrapped around their little fingers.