Tales of a tracker.... continued....

Some more tales from the job of a tracker....

• There is such a thing as too much information....

I was at a client's house the other day and his grandmother was venting to me about the sexual activity of him and his brother. She told me that she doesn't know why they are in such a hurry to have sex, "I mean look at me, it's been 7 or 8 years and you don't see me complaining!" There is such a thing as too much information...

• We are embarrassing fans....

One of my boys is playing on his school's volleyball team (boys volleyball is actually a pretty big deal on the East coast). So I'm trying to attend some of his games. And I have to laugh because I sometimes feel like I'm taking the mom role, I drive him, then he heads off with his friends and comes back to ask for money for the vending machine, or for me to hold his cell phone, or because he left something in the car, this kid deserves someone to be in the stands for these tasks. So last night I went with the other trackers, even the other tracking team came, so this kid had his own little fan club in the stands. And as we cheered his name after a particularly good play he made, he looked up at us with this HUGE grin on his face. It's a moment like this that makes the job worth it.

• One of the sad stories....

A few weeks ago one of my clients was placed in a group home, unfortunately, this time it probably was warranted. But, he of course didn't want to be there so he ran. He went home for a while until his mom took him back to the group home. When I went to visit his mom later that night she told me that while he was home he had attempted suicide, but out of fear she didn't tell the group home. So after talking to her for a long time I reported it. Unfortunately, I was less than pleased with the response from the group home, so the next day spent a lot of time with many people from DCYF who have done a much better job with following up on his care.

• Don't mess with this tracker...

As some of you may know, I've been involved with a the judo club that one of our friend, Serge, runs here. I've been taking a couple of my clients as well as taking lessons myself. In fact, I've been more and more involved lately... I've also been more and more sore and bruised lately ;-). One night a while back Serge put me up against one of my clients during one of the kids first lessons. I used a quick trip move and put the kid flat on his back on the mat, don't worry he took it in good spirits. However, Serge whispered in my ear later, "that kid will never mess with you!"

• Trust

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It is the most humbling thing when you realize, or are reminded, that one of these kids truly trusts you. Recently I took a kid out of eat and confronted him on some stuff that I had caught wind of. When a kid trusts you enough to tell you about how they almost started dealing some serious drugs, or that the way their parents treat them is the most upsetting thing in their life (and rightfully so), or what their worries are. That is stuff they won't tell to just anyone and I am honored to be so trusted.