A kid who made it

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of working with a kid who was destined to the next level of risk taking, or what some call, heading to where the big boys are! I met this kid up north, where he was recommended, ok, tribal court ordered to attend my group on the reservation. At first, it was a tug of war, I mean, I was being tested, and as I looked above, higher power was being tested too! As the addiction education sessions increased with this kid, he began to open up. The unfortunate thing, after he began to trust me he was moved to a higher setting of incarceration. This writer followed this kid, and saw him two more times while behind bars. Then, he was stabbed, or shanked. He was sent to the hospital, and the medical staff were not sure he was going to make it. A month ago, after getting released from the hospital, I was able to see him briefly. I will never forget what he told me. He had a court date approaching, where he was facing 10 years in a adult prison, or he could get treatment that was highly recommended. As I sat there, he told me that he was going to escape, and be on the run. But, he wanted to let me know that I would not be responsible, and he was trying to stay in his health, but at this moment he wanted  to take that risk, just like using opiates, that was his vice. I looked at him and replied you finally understand it. He looks at me like a frog, with his mouth open. I told him, there is nothing wrong with what you are feeling, and if your going to bounce (that was his favorite word) you know you can try, and deal with the consequences. But, it is only a thought. He stood right up in my face, this kid was big kid, even at 16. A week later, his court proceedings had started and finished. Two weeks ago, as I was starting my group, the common car pulled in, where some of the treatment inmates were dropped off to come to my group. There he was, I almost hurdled one client to get to him. He looked at me and said, I could of bounced, but this time I'm choosing to work on my self. I lost it, tears are flying down my face. The other people in group began to chant, (one of my favorite chants) we chanted for 10 minuets straight. This kid had a chance, a thought, and was staying in his health. I just got a phone call from the probation, that he enrolled in the summer school program and was leading his peers, (inside- the jail, treatment center) talking about support for each other. Ironic, how this kid was the leader of his gang, where he saw his father, brother, and best friend all be killed in the last 10 years. A kid who made it, thus far. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.