Mom's View: Things Begin to Look Up

Unfortunately, Isaac has been bullied before.  You can't be a male ballet dancer and not have thick skin, so he is pretty tough.  I knew he would be fine and yet I ached for him.

On the positive side, Isaac was making friends and feeling welcomed by the other students.  His buddy Janos was feeling the pain in his own way, too; they were fighting the battle together.

Toward the beginning of the second week, Isaac was no longer Stupid America, he was just America--which was meant to be insulting.  It wasn't a huge stride, but it was a stride.  His teacher made a couple of semi-nice gestures like having Isaac demonstrate a step or a combination.  Every dancer has specific strengths and Isaac's is strength and power in the jumps and turns.  Kuznetsov began to recognize that and, though he wasn't complimentary, at least he wasn't mean.  During barre and at other times during class, however, the teacher said some horribly cruel things that would cut to the heart of any warm-blooded creature.  Isaac bore it all.  He told me because I made him, not because he needed to tattle.

Now, here's something funny.  Isaac has a Russian accent.  He has always been that person who picked up on accents quickly and, like his dad, he can mimic people well.  But I was surprised when he was already using the accent after only a handful of days.  Then, he explained his reason.  Janos' teacher in Belgium is Russian so he speaks English with a heavy Russian accent.  When Isaac spoke English to Janos, Janos couldn't understand him unless Isaac threw in the heavy Russian accent!  (It is like when a northerner visits the south, English begins to sound a lot different!)

On Friday, things were really beginning to look up.  Isaac heard the words Good America while at barre.

Then, the following chat on Facebook Saturday:

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  10/25, 11:56pm
  

  Emily Mattoon Sanders
  

  Okay. Really. How are you?
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  10/25, 11:57pm
  

  Isaac Sanders
  

  Fantastic. Class was good today. A lot of good Isaacs.
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  10/25, 11:57pm
  

  Emily Mattoon Sanders
  

  Oooh, he even knows your name now??
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  10/25, 11:57pm
  

  Isaac Sanders
  

  Yeah it's getting better much better. I can do this!
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  10/25, 11:57pm
  

  Emily Mattoon Sanders
  

  Tears just sprang to my eyes.

  I've been so worried about you.

  Confident, but worried.
• 
  10/26, 12:00am
  

  Isaac Sanders
  

  It really is getting better. I have good food in my room, Dinner and Breakfast are good, I'm making good friends who understand what I'm going through, the communication is getting easier and ballet class is becoming more enjoyable. Ballet is everywhere and church is tomorrow! This week has confirmed that this was definitely what I was supposed to do.
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• We're going to make it.  Both of us!
  With a lot of  help from Heaven.