A Glimpse of Hope

I started a second job during the Fall of 2021 that involves serving students at Western Technical College. I work there about 8 hours per week. My Mom tells me that I am a subject of a study that centers upon student success and retention (whatever that is). Through the years, I often wondered where she went and what she did during those long periods of time waiting for her return. I now have an idea because I eagerly plunged into it with her this year. It is a place called a classroom in a building called a school. 

The first day that I entered the classroom, I was overwhelmed with a new bunch of faces covered by masks. The masks made everybody seem mysterious, and I sensed stress, fear, and anxiety permeating in the classroom. I stayed close to Mom as I mirrored her every move around the pods. Occasionally, an arm would dart out to pet me and I would stop and welcome the attention. Eventually, I made my rounds giving everybody an opportunity to engage with me. I gained enough confidence to distance myself from my mom and work independently of her. I made lots of friends and many brought me treats. (I don't know if I am supposed to tell anybody that.) 

Throughout my first 15 weeks at school, I sensed that most of the students were anxious. All seemed to be carrying the burden of troubled outcomes which many believe stem from the pandemic. My Mom tells me that there is lots of instability resulting in a multitude of problems such as mental illness, gender identity issues, financial concerns, learning disabilities, physical pain, and much more. I noticed these concerns not only with the students but also within the staff too. I know that humans have gone through some difficult times recently. 

Many of the students and staff at Western indicate that it helps having me there. Several of them go out of their way to find me just to touch me and say hello. I am able to provide them with a break for a moment from some of the problems that haunt them. As they pet me and talk to me, I see a glimpse of hope in their eyes and hear it in their voice. Humans need to hang on to that glimmer of hope. Hope is the one thing that can help get them through the darkest of times. Once hope is chosen, anything is possible.