can i keep him?

i usually walk past the kids at hyvee raising money for this or that...especially the private school kids...i prefer to give it to those that really need it; like nemo or operation breakthrough. tonight, however, the sweetest child caught my attention. he was dressed in his private school uniform with his little plaid private school bow tie...and the cutest little freckles on his nose. he reminded me so much of my nephew, josh- except josh wouldn't be caught dead in a plaid bow tie and he doesn't have freckles. ok, truth is, this kid looked nothing like my josh...but when a child has a big heart, you can see it...hence the strong similarities.

he shyly walked towards us...'excuse me miss'...although i must look ancient to him, what a doll for not calling me ma'am...' my school is raising money for...(i can't even remember what they were raising money for)....but if you would like to do your shopping first, i would be happy to talk to you afterwards'. this child was maybe 10, if even. so polite. i thanked him and we did our shopping.

we came back out looking for him. his response 'would you like to talk to me about our fundraiser now or do you need to get your baby home?'. seriously, who is this kid and can i have him? he tells me his name, shakes my hand, gives me the synopsis of the fundraiser, i donate $10. as i am writing my check hunched over somehow writing on my leg...he says, 'would you like for me to help you over to the table?'. come on kid, are you real?

as we are leaving, i don't want to embarrass him but want him to know how proud i am of what a kind young man he is...how do you say that to a child in their language? i ended up telling him that he was the sweetest little boy i had ever met. little boy? he doesn't want to be called a little boy. crap.

as i am walking off, i turn around to steal him. kidding. but i do turn around and he is telling his sponsor with a huge smile and the brightest eyes...'that lady told me i am the sweetest kid she has ever met!'...she hugged him, he was so proud. i teared up knowing that this child needed to hear that. sometimes we think they know, but children need to be told out loud. and often.

if i see him again i am totally going to kidnap him.