The Joy of Christmas
December 20, 2008
Every day, at the end of school, I work the car rider line.
Mommies know this line, this snake of cars that moves ever so s-l-o-w-l-y up to the front of the school where you can pick up your over-tired child who is ready to go home. I’m in charge of the Pre-K and Kindergarten students, and it is not uncommon to have many of them come up to give me a hug or a high-five before they sit down to (not) patiently wait for their chariot to whisk them away from school.
Besides the errant child that just can’t sit still or keep his hands to himself, I like being there. I like getting this last moment with the kids. I like being able to tell them “Have a great weekend” or “See you tomorrow”. I like seeing their face light up when I call their name.
There’s a few kids who I’m kind of protective of. Even after all of my students are gone for the day and I can leave, I’ll linger and wait until their ride arrives to make sure they are okay. They are the quiet ones, the ones that don’t talk much, that watch me expectantly for their cars. The kids that look for me in a crowd, at specials, in the lunchroom. They hug me when they see me in the halls. I wave and smile when I see them.
I love these kids. They totally make my day.
Today as I put one of these kids in the car to go home for the long holiday break, his mother stopped me and put a small envelope in my hand. She really appreciated me, she said. She wanted to give me something, to thank me for taking such good care of her son. I thanked her and said it wasn’t necessary, but that I appreciated it, and to have a wonderful holiday.
I wasn’t expecting that. I was just doing my job.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
December 20th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Unexpected little gifts like that are always the best…mostly because you get to learn how someone else sees you.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Awwww that is so sweet, tho I’m so not surprised! Happy merry sweetie!
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December 22nd, 2008 at 6:04 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://www.car-insurance-choices.com
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December 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This was a very nice “feel good” post!
Merry Christmas!
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