One Day in the Life

     I walked hurriedly down the hallway and turned into what was  a small conference room.  On either side of the door were two small office spaces and there was a large table in the center or the room.  Several people were sitting at the table hunched over their paperwork and from the scowls on their faces I could tell they weren't pleased with what they were reading. There were two people sitting by the window chatting on their cell phones.  No one even looked up when I entered the room, so I walked in and sat at the table.  One gentleman finally acknowledged me and said, "Are you here for the meeting? Are you Gerald's mother?". "Yes, I replied, I'm his mother".  At my response all the activity in the room stopped and everyone looked up.  Several people moved over to the table and began sorting through papers and opening folders.  I had experienced this scenario before.  Each time I had a lump in my throat, but I had looked fearlessly into the eyes of the group of people at the meeting and said, "Yes, I'm his mother".  Each time I faced a group of professionals who appeared to be at their wits end and were looking to me for help.  Those who had faced me before knew that it wouldn't be an easy meeting.  I was no push over and I  had come prepared.  I always was these days.  I would never allow a situation like my first meeting to occur again. I already knew what the opening salvo was going to be.  I knew what would follow, and I knew what outcome they were working toward.   Their mistake...they wore it on their faces.  I had experienced those same frustrations, I had used similar strategies and I had faced some of the same defeats and disappointments.