So, Friday appears to be one of those days to either be forgotten or more meaningfully to learn from. I must conclude that it was far from my best day as a first grade teacher mostly because I had a child who was having a very difficult day and demanded my attention and challenged my direction. By the end of the day, I was exhausted, and I am sure he was too. But we ended the day with a genuine hug and with the agreement that Monday was going to be a new and better day. As we were lining up to exit for the day, one of my other boys came up to me and asked if he could hold my hand. I must say that his request, gratefully granted, made my day. Whether he sensitively felt the angst of the day related to the conflict with my first little guy, or he wanted to assure me that all was well in his corner of the world, I cannot know. But what I do know is that he gave me a gift that reassured me that life was OK, and we, with strength and connection, will move forward. This little boy is a joy who has cautiously, slowly, but assuredly grown more comfortable and relaxed with our classroom family with each passing week. I don’t know if he wanted to hold my hand because he is finally at the point where he feels at home in our room or if it were because he just intuitively knew that his request would be something that I needed and would love. Whatever the reason may be, he made my Friday wonderful. He gently but powerfully confirmed that even on days that are very hard and depleting, he reminded me that no matter what, we are all joined together as a school family and will be here for one another.
6 comments:
Thank goodness for those little moments that keep us going! And thank you for the reminder to savor them, and not let them just slip by. We need to remember the hugs and the warm little hands in ours, not the day-long struggles with the difficult students.
You are wise beyond your years. Connections and circles get us through the trickiest of times. Thanks for being part of my circle!
Andrea
Lauren - what an amazing anecdote. We all need our hand held sometimes; it's what keeps us all human!
So glad to work with someone who can be reflective at the end of the day, and focus on the positive of the next day.
He is good like that...I loved reading your reflection. Your kids are blessed to have you leading and loving them everyday.
it is all about those small moments that make life so BIG. :) Glad you have those moments to hold on to.
Dear Lauren and Abby,
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jrandolph@citytowninfo.com
CityTownInfo.com
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