I just got back from visiting my son. I picked him up on Sunday and took him out for dinner. I brought some of his favorite CD's so we could listen to music on the drive. We had a great evening. He said he didn't want to talk about The Aspen Ranch. He only wanted to talk about his families and friends. He talked about what he wants to do when he comes home---he wants to finish High School so he can attend college. His goal is to take classes that will enable him to work in the music business, whether it be as a musician or in production. We took a short hike after dinner (there are some buffalo nearby at a place called The Lodge).
On Monday, I visited him at the Ranch. I got to meet two more of his teachers. We went down to look at the horses and we talked to the Equine Therapist. My son loves his horse (Smarty). He says that Smarty is a little "head strong" so they are a perfect fit. I got to see his dorm and his room (both were clean and organized). We took a hike to the top of a nearby mountain and had a long talk. I asked him about all of the staff and he claims that his teachers are "the best" and that his therapist is "pretty good." His only complaint was with one of the night staff (they watch the kids at night). We talked about the kids. He says he has made some great friends. He has made plans with one of the boys to take a "roadtrip" up and down the west coast when they get out. He also spoke of some kids that he didn't like. He told me that he is really working hard at advancing to the next level, as he wants to go snowboarding with me in December/January. He is also working hard at his studies. I told him that I really see a change in his attitude and I asked him what he attributed it to. He says he definitely has had a change in the way he thinks and that it is because he has had a lot of time to think. He claims that talks he has had with some of the staff (the unlicensed ones) about their struggles and how they turned their lives around has really inspired him. I asked him if these staff ever lead any of the group therapy sessions and he said that his therpist leads the sessions, but the staff are easy to talk to when they are just hanging around the dorm. He did tell me that he wants to come home and he wanted to make sure that I was going to make the decision on when to bring him home and I wasn't going to soley rely on The Aspen Ranch to make that decision. I told him that I was going to make the decision and that I was very proud of his efforts and that I wanted to see him continue in this manner.
As you can read, my son has really turned it around. Whether it is because he really is changing for all the right reasons or just because he wants to come home, I don't know for sure, but at least he is "jumping through some hoops." He looked healthy and strong (he has been working out in PE). Our next visit is in early November. I will keep you posted.
