Met a kid

[Lily (Osako)]

I volunteered at a kids camp for the past few days.
During this time I met this little boy, around 10 years old, and I saw so many of us in him.
He came up to me sobbing, saying he didn't belong there, he didn't fit in, he was different and the other kids could see it, he wasn't cut out for this, that he was the worst kid there, and that there was no hope for him. AT 10 YEARS OLD!
It ripped my heart in pieces.
He reminded me of being that young and realizing I didn't belong, that I was different.
I held him and let him cry. I didn't know what to say. Should I be honest and tell him I had always felt that way, too? Or should I try to make things seem like it's all okay and life is wonderful?
I decided not to say anything and just let him vent while I held onto him.
I told him I love him and that I'm so sorry he's hurting so bad and that if I could take it away for him, I would. I told him I thought he was wonderful and a beautiful person and a good and kind kid. That I understood how it feels to be sensitive and that it's okay.
I saw how the other kids treated him. They pretended to be nice when they saw I was watching, but shunned him when they didn't notice me.
I tried to find fun things to keep him busy but all he wanted was to fit in and play with the other kids.
I spoke with the camp counselor about it. She said she would take care of it and talk with his parents.
I told her I didn't want them to make him feel worse, to make him feel like even they think there is something wrong with him.
I was just at a loss as to how to help.
I was terrified of causing him more pain and distress.
I'm still worried I didn't do right by him.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

I'm sure you did the right thing:)

 

[MetroTransit]

I think you handled that pretty well for what it is worth. The world would be a better place if people cared as much as you.

 

[Lily (Osako)]

I think you handled that pretty well for what it is worth. The world would be a better place if people cared as much as you.

I'm terrified I'll hear he killed himself.
I hope I'm just projecting my personal experience on how he came across and I'm wrong about him.
It just all sounded so familiar. What he said, the look in his eyes, the pain in his voice.
I'm so worried about him.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

I'm terrified I'll hear he killed himself.
I hope I'm just projecting my personal experience on how he came across and I'm wrong about him.
It just all sounded so familiar. What he said, the look in his eyes, the pain in his voice.
I'm so worried about him.

I don't think he will after you helped him. I know its difficult but try not to worry:)

 

[chocolatebar]

Are all the kids mean to him? Are other kids being left out as well? Perhaps it would be possible to incentive them to hang out with each other.

This story make me remember when I was at school, sitting by the schoolyard, looking at birds during all the playtime, before going back to classes and later, sitting there for a couple of hours while waiting for my parents to take me back home...

 

[Zegers]

It is sad how it seems that some people are doomed to suffer. you did well.

 

[WhatPowerIs]

I think you did right by him. I totally understand that. It genuinely breaks my heart when I see kids as young as 10, 11, 12, 13, etc talk about suicide. They're so young. Who on Earth is making them feel this way?

 

[chloramine]

You did a good thing. A lot of us have been there- at all different ages- and so many of us would have done nearly anything to have what you gave him. We can't know his wider situation or what's going to happen, but if someone had done that for me at 10 I would have treasured that memory and replayed it over and over again. I wish there was more that could be done, but I think you handled that perfectly within the circumstances.

 

[summers]

Ngl, I saw the title of this thread, and I was getting ready for some major cringe...

 

[blackwidow]

this is so sad, but so true of society today when it comes to our youth. I think what you did was absolutely perfect you have a lovely soul. maybe in a round about way you can help each other.. are you able to see him again?

 

[Forever Sleep]

Poor kid. I think a lot of our hearts go out to him. I suspect a lot of us experienced that.

I think you did brilliantly though. There's really nothing more you could have done. I suspect it really comforted him to have someone who listened to him and empathised with him. I think you were right not to tell him you've always felt that way- better for him to have the hope that these feelings are temporary and that he might feel better- and he might. Fingers crossed for him.

 

[whatevs]

Socializing is a ruthless examination process where your defects or differences will not go unnoticed. It's a tense, delicate choreography that strives to look effortless. Those that cannot dance quickly or elegantly enough feel like a hazard for the success of the whole group's representation. That's why they are rejected, on instinct, like you clean your hands as soon that you feel there's dirt on them.

This is another way in which the flesh suit can torment you, via unfulfilled social needs. When you need to belong but you don't.

I didn't feel that alienated at such a young age. It sounds like that kid is in for a rough ride.

 

[FuneralCry]

I guess that in a life like this there really is no escape from suffering. When I hear about things like that, it makes me realise how cruel it is to bring humans into this world where they will endure pain all for no purpose. Never being born is the best possible thing. The fact that so many people are suffering at such a young age just shows how horrible existence really is.

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

That was brave of him to share his story with you. He was very fortunate to find you and have you comfort him. I wish I had been that way when I was a little kid. Kept it all bottled up inside. It's quite torturous to be the outsider.

 

[summers]

Socializing is a ruthless examination process where your defects or differences will not go unnoticed. It's a tense, delicate choreography that strives to look effortless. Those that cannot dance quickly or elegantly enough feel like a hazard for the success of the whole group's representation. That's why they are rejected, on instinct, like you clean your hands as soon that you feel there's dirt on them.

This is another way in which the flesh suit can torment you, via unfulfilled social needs. When you need to belong but you don't.

I didn't feel that alienated at such a young age. It sounds like that kid is in for a rough ride.

But the takeaway is you focus on your strengths, develop those. Not everyone has the face to be a model, so they can focus on their physique. Some people are disabled, and can improve their intelligence and humor. Some people have the dexterity and coordination to be athletes, some great dancers.

Anyone in any of those circumstances can have a very fulfilling social life. The problems come when you try to associate with the wrong group, or you waste time focusing on something you will never be good at. Don't feel bad for people who make the wrong choices, and continue down a path of failure, because most (not all) people can be good at something and loved by a certain group.

Also, people waste too much time being resentful of those who have more then them. Sure, there are beautiful people with perfect bodies, who are smart, funny, athletic, and come from money. Any yes, life is going to be much easier and more fun for them than the rest of us. But like I just said, you need to focus on what you have rather than what you don't.

 

[whatevs]

But the takeaway is you focus on your strengths, develop those. Not everyone has the face to be a model, so they can focus on their physique. Some people are disabled, and can improve their intelligence and humor. Some people have the dexterity and coordination to be athletes, some great dancers.

Anyone in any of those circumstances can have a very fulfilling social life. The problems come when you try to associate with the wrong group, or you waste time focusing on something you will never be good at. Don't feel bad for people who make the wrong choices, and continue down a path of failure, because most (not all) people can be good at something and loved by a certain group.

Also, people waste too much time being resentful of those who have more then them. Sure, there are beautiful people with perfect bodies, who are smart, funny, athletic, and come from money. Any yes, life is going to be much easier and more fun for them than the rest of us. But like I just said, you need to focus on what you have rather than what you don't.

Fair enough, we should strive to improve as long as we haven't firmly decided to leave yet.

 

[summers]

Fair enough, we should strive to improve as long as we haven't firmly decided to leave yet.

I think even if you are sure you're leaving, you should continue to work to improve. You never know if you're going to change you mind. If you do, all those months you did nothing may have been a complete waste.