Dude Armor-All-ed My Windows!

There just aren’t enough jobs for youth in our neighborhood.    As it turns out, there aren’t enough mentoring adults either.

Recently, I employed a youth who had a realistic need and wanted to earn some money.  I obliged because, according to him, he was avoiding dishonest ways of getting the money (See The Wrong Kind of 'Come Up').  My challenge was, I was already committed to being with my sons on that morning.  I would not be able to supervise the work or model what I wanted, side by side.

I asked him to clean and wash my mini van.   I set out the vacuum, the soap, the Armor-all, and the Windex.  I verbalized the directions. I even checked on the progress, once after an enthusiastic reading of The Monster at the End of This Book and again before putting the boys down for naps.

Apparently, my spotty presence and cursory dictation of instructions were not enough.

Minutes before this youth was “done” and set to be paid, I noticed that the van windows looked conspicuously oily, beyond streaky.  

Dude Armor-All-ed my windows!

Deep breath.

“That was his best.” I told myself

“Even though he is 18, nobody has taught him to wash a car” I reasoned.

“But it cost me as much as a professional car wash!” I exclaimed “And I am going to have to do a lot of it over myself!”

Deep breath.

“I should have supervised this better.”   Maybe.  But I was not available to do so.

“I should have done it myself!” I lamented in private.

I ultimately landed on this: “It was still the right thing.  Next time we'll get it better. Learning is going to happen over time and through trusted relationship.”

This one instance illustrates a single truth that I pray more people hear and respond to.  There are too many youth growing up without older folk investing in them.  They need dedicated parents, motivated mentors, talented teachers, and patient employers.   I get upset when I reflect on the reality of so many City Heights youth. Most feel a huge vacuum that should be filled by the consistent presence of caring adults.   It is even more upsetting to see the unexpected symptoms of young people going at life alone.

Greased up windows are one thing.   But self–inflicted pain and increasing despair in the eyes of youth should jolt us all.

Would you consider being significant in one teen’s life? To explore this option with me, click the above image and let me guide you.  It might cost you some extra money and a vehicle’s collection of streak-free car windows.   But the sense of fulfillment you will gain, will help your vision anyhow.