The Hug I Really Needed

I Went Into Town Angry and Came Home Almost Crying

Am I losing it? My mind?

I made the decision to not continue school because of everything that happened. I told the teacher. I told my classmates. And still, she sends out the next semester schedule and information about what books we need.

Like… why?

So now it has me thinking. Even though it would be a financial struggle for me, maybe I should continue after all.

Why?

Well… partly because I honestly want to piss the teacher and principal off. Yes, I am petty. I know that. But after everything they put me through, can you really blame me?

But there is another reason too.

If I do not have school or a job and I am home during after-school hours, my son will lose his after-school care placement even though he genuinely needs it for his social development, routines, and support.

So I am stuck in a really difficult situation right now.

Because the truth is: I *do* want this education. You all know that. But at the same time, the principal, the internship, and the teacher completely killed my sparkle for it.

And honestly? Staying home all day would probably mess up my head too.

Speaking of the internship…

Today when I went into town for a meeting, I got the biggest hug.

I was walking between the coffee shop windows and the small bus station when I suddenly heard knocking on the glass. So I turned around and there she was — a mom I used to work with — smiling and pointing toward a child inside the café.

The SECOND that little girl saw me, she started jumping up and down.

I rushed inside immediately.

And oh my God 😭

The second I got through the doors, she came RUNNING toward me so fast that I barely had time to lean down before she literally flew up onto me and wrapped herself around me like a tiny octopus.

She did NOT want to let go.

I have not seen her since my internship ended, so seeing her again honestly hit me right in the heart.

Then her mom told me something that almost made me cry right there in the café.

Apparently, this little girl asks almost every single day:
“Where is Emma? Is Emma coming?”

That completely broke my heart.

So I explained to her mom what actually happened during my internship and how I had been treated. Let us just say… she got MAD. Like genuinely angry on my behalf.

Meanwhile, my little octopus was still clinging onto me 😭

Unfortunately, we eventually had to separate because I had a meeting to get to and she was there with her mom and friends.

But wow…

I really needed that hug more than I realized.

Me and this child connected instantly from my very first day there (not the child connected to the accusations before anyone starts wondering), and seeing her again honestly made me remember why I loved this in the first place.

A small hug really can make the world feel softer sometimes.

And today, I really needed that softness.

So this had me thinking as well.