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The kid wrote a poem yesterday:

When will I leave this town?
By: Kid

The occasional creaking of a floorboard
A rumble of car once or twice
It’s too quiet in this small town
I say with no such delight

I tried to stay back
Sold half my clothes and belongings
Cut down on expenses and shopping
But alas, the money was too tight

So I moved out of the big city
Where it was loud all the time
People chattering and cars honking
Even during the darkest hours of the night

There was always something going on there
Never a slow moment
Not like here
Where it seems to be that all people do is stay inside and write

I haven’t seen more 2 people outside
Both silent and distant
I can feel them judging me from afar
I think they think I bite

This house is too old
It’s bathroom too small
My apartment back in the city
Was big and had some sights

There are no excitements and fun
Around this small town
Just dusty old grocery stores
And a small airport that has just one flight

My self pity is drowning me
The boxes on the floor like cages that trap
The silence is unbearable
Spending my life here will be a plight

Restless sleep takes over
Tossing and turning through all hours
Memories of old invade my mind
Trying to stop remembering is like getting into a fight
A week has gone by
And I still feel like I don’t belong
Friends from home contact me and tell me this is for the better
But it still doesn’t feel right

It’s a struggle to get out of bed
To see the empty streets
I wonder every day
When will I leave this town?

As a parent of an above-average student, I can’t tell you how little schools are equipped to actually help these students. The schooling systems are primarily designed to reward smarter folks, but ask them a few questions on how they are going to help students are feeling left behind and they have no actionable answers. It’s left to us parents to be hyper involved or you are out of luck. This, in one of the best school districts in entire nation – I fear to think how bad is it outside.

Disappointing day for kid last night. She did not make it to the high school varsity swim team that in a different circumstances should have made it quite easily. Her knee injury has not healed well so far, and even a couple of tryouts were difficult. She has a lot of physical therapy to get through to be strong again, and by the time she is 100% again the varsity season will end. Much crying ensued but it is what it is, and sometimes life gets in the way.