Words on a Page

Originally uploaded by Blue Dragonfly Girl

Back in Texas, people are generally literate.

Here illiteracy is more common.

Yesterday a parent came into a meeting with her son. I watched as the young man laboriously signed his name on a sheet of paper proving his attendance. When it came time for his mother to sign, I watched as she slowly copied each curve in each letter of her name, constantly using what was written on another piece of paper for reference.

Her son looked out the window, tapping his fingers against the wall.

His mother continued to write out her name, carefully forming each letter. Spending innumerable seconds trying to make what she was creating conform with what was on the other paper.

"That's perfect," said the coordinator when she finished, several minutes later, "Thank you."