Christmas Homestay 1990 — A Special Memory
Based on an actual occurrence which took place shortly after our arrival in the Sacramento, California area to begin our Christmas 1990 homestay program there.
'Twas a few nights before Christmas, and all through the town,
There went up a wail — perhaps the prank of some clown?
Then, to my surprise, it wasn't some jerk;
'Twas one of my students, but he had a quirk.
An acute case of culture shock had him squirming on the floor,
Yelling names and chanting songs I'd never heard of before.
Violent fits had us worried, we didn't know what to do;
So we called the ambulance for someone to come to the rescue.
But, instead came three sheriffs, and to our dismay,
They shackled the lad up and carried him away.
They sped as we followed, to the emergency ward;
Thank goodness we had the kid's travel insurance card.
Drugged and in bed, the boy was fast asleep;
And into the room a doctor did creep.
With many low whispers, we were questioned by the doc;
"A psychiatrist will come," he said, and we looked at the clock.
That minute hand circled many times; very sleepy we all became.
It was well after midnight before the shrink came.
He woke the lad up, silly questions he asked;
I translated everything, and it was a task.
The psychiatrist frowned; then, stroking his beard,
Turned to me and said, "All his answers are weird!"
I wanted to say, in a mood for a fight,
"How would YOUR answers sound at this time of night?"
I just wanted to send the boy home as soon as possible,
But, with a wink from the shrink, I knew that would be IMpossible.
"Three days at least," said he, "Since he came in in 'cuffs;
And then, maybe a week won't be long enough."
I was groaning inside, as they hauled him away;
To the mental hospital where he was destined to stay.
Throwing hopes of "good luck" away, I was beginning to see,
Just what kind of Christmas this was going to be.
Many years I had waited to go home for this season;
To think that something would stop it was well beyond reason.
In my motel room I sat, my head full of doubt;
And realized that Fate really did have some clout.
So, in my little room, I watched the TV;
and just couldn't believe that this was happening to me.
Then, "There'll be other Christmases," I thought with no fear;
"Perhaps I can make it back home for next year."
Anyway, it was to and from the hospital I went for the next few days;
While also thinking of my other students, and their own homestays:
The regular "little" problems; the lack of communication;
The way some think that homestay is one big, long vacation.
Then, finally came The Day, the one I'd been waiting for;
'Twas Christmas morn when he was released, and we walked right out the door!
To the airport we flew, like Santa with his load;
And thanks to the fact it was Christmas Day, no one else was on the road.
To the flight attendant I gave a small bottle, as we pushed him on the plane;
"This here's a good lad," I said, "But he sometimes goes insane.
If he starts to chant or sing loud, here, just give him one of these.
Then, if that doesn't seem to help at all, just do whatever you please."
The plane then lifted out of sight, and I sighed with great relief;
You'd think a Christmas spent like that would fill me full of grief.
But, thinking back I felt real good to see him on his way;
It was the nicest present — if the only one — I got on Christmas Day.
My 1990 Christmas, yes, that's exactly how 'twas spent;
But I left the airport with a smile, and down the road I went.
I was thinking as I headed back to the homestay area again,
"Peace on Earth — well, Sacramento — and goodwill towards men!"