A lap and 20 minutes

Yesterday, my boys both had awards ceremonies at their school. My middle son’s was first. He beamed with pride as his principal called him on stage to get his Library Award (proud writer-mom moment). Then, a few minutes later, he received an award for all A’s and B’s. I was proud of him, no doubt, but as I watched and listened something terrible became evident to me.

All the kids were sitting on the floor in the cafeteria, watching as classmate after classmate got called to stage to accept th...