Usually, my posts have a point. Today it does not. While every day is full of craziness, there are a lot of things that happen that make me smile and make every not so enjoyable moment, worth it. Today I give you a glimpse into the tiny details of my life that make me smile.
Sean the Goose
One of my students, when he is feeling particularly sad, will come and sit next to me during recess instead of playing with the other students. One day, he was talking to me using his hand like a duck. I laughed and asked him for his duck's name. He simply told me, "Ms. Short, it is a pretend duck. It is really just my hand." I did not have a good response to this, so I let it be. I began talking to him with my hand though, and it became one of his dear friends, named Sean. Sean is a goose. Sean only comes around when my sweet little student is having a rough day. He will address Sean, rather than me. Sean is asked for what question number we are on. Sean is told the silly stories. Sean is asked to play games at recess. Thankfully, Sean hasn't been around much lately, but every time this student takes my hand while talking to me, I smile. I know this silly little game means the world to him, so I play along, even if it means he doesn't say my name all day. Also, Sean cannot talk. He can only honk. Thankfully, for me, this means I do not have to come up with silly responses. Just honk.
New students and new games
This past week I have added a few new students to my wonderful class. This comes with some new territory for everyone. Since we are still following COVID regulations, the students have to sit six feet apart while waiting to go to the bathroom. They are sitting in the hallway, which also means they are not allowed to talk. Most of the time, in the past, they would sit quietly and mind their own business, but with the addition of our new students, this is not so anymore. They have started to come up with games they can play without talking or getting up. Some go with classics, such as rock, paper, scissors, and some come up with new games. It makes me smile to see their creative little minds at work and to see them making the best of every situation.
Nine months doesn't seem that long
Anyone who has known me the past 11 years or so, knows I have been around the same set of kids for quite a while. Typically, I am babysitting or nannying for the same kids for at least 4 years. When you are around someone and playing and interacting with someone every day (or almost every day) for four years, a strong bond will ensue. I miss my sweet kidlets every day. They were my world for so long. Now I have a new set of kids, but I only have them for nine months. Compared to four years, that is almost no time at all. At first, I thought this would make me more detached from them, but it is quite the opposite. I have become very attached to my eleven students and am having to face the reality of my attachment while preparing to say good-bye to one next week. While I know good-byes are hard, I am not sure it is going to be any easier after nine months than it was after four years.
Well, there's a glimpse into my thoughts lately. It's not a whole lot, but my kiddos make me smile, and I thank God every day that I have the privilege of calling them my students.
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