Keeping Densky.

"Do you think you can handle the little kids?" The NY Cares Team leader asked me as I was writing my name tag. 

   "Absolutely," I responded.

As I sat down at the small table of four---a library of books, tiny cubbies, and the sight of about a dozen oversized adults in tiny chairs surrounded me. 

     "Who's up for a challenge?" Naturally, my eyebrows raised. 

    "There's a hyperactive boy with a short attention span. Would anyone be willing to work with him?"

My hand raised, automatically. (It seems to do that a lot lately). 

     "He has a lot of energy. Let us know if you need assistance."

* * * * 

He ran into the room like the tasmanian devil. He spun in circles and zoomed right passed me. 

   "What's your name?"

      "D-E-N-S-KY."

His eager eyes looked up at me.  His smile reminded me of when you watch someone bite into the best grilled cheese sandwich. It melted away all the stress of the day. 

"How about you pick out a book?" 

He returned with a big Dr. Seuss book.  

"He's my favorite! Can you read it to me, Densky?"

"I don't know how to read." 

I began to aid him along. 

"Where is he going? Why is he soo mad? Where is he going? Why are they chasing him?"

And then, I began to lose him to the little girl, ya know, there's always one a pink shirt. 

* * * * 

We went to the bookshelf. He picked up a book with some variation of the title, "Hello, NewYork." 

He recognized every picture and word in that book. The scansion was a lot easier to read.

"Progress. Just another five pages to go. Keep engaging him," I thought.

"What's that, Densky?"

  

"Central Park! Central Park! I love to go there with my bwothers!" 

As he flipped to the next page, we were interrupted. 

 "Densky! Densky! Densky!" the six-year old intruder yelled. 

* * * * 

"We have four more pages to go. Come on! How great will it feel when we're done?" 

   

"O-K," He shrugged. 

After we finished, the book. I was so proud of him. It's like that feeling when you graduate. You're so excited. You feel so accomplished. 

"Densky, do you know why it's called 'sky-scraper?" 

"Because, they were built to touch the sky."

"Weally?

* * * * 

As I left the meeting, I stared up at the buildings on Columbus Ave. The night sky was magical. The lights twinkled, brighter, then dimmer, and somehow, remained bright.

"Ahh, that's the feeling of contribution!"

* * * *  

"Hey Dad. I have a question. How hyper was I when I was little?"

"Why?"

"Because, I just met my match."

Ways of being: Connected, loving, joyous.