it's the small things..

Reflecting on my past week, I just keep thinking of my dear 1st graders. I love kids. I do. I hope to have some one day. Lots and lots. But dealing with 21 of them on a daily basis is hard for sure, and a real test of patience. I just keep reminding myself to love these kids. Love them as much as I can. Be patient, listen to them, show them attention and care for them--it's what they need, and some of them don't get much attention at home-and are handed mom or dad's cell phone to play with and keep them occupied. (I know this happens all over, it happens in Ohio as well, but my work and my focus is right here, on  these kids). 

I had a particularly rough day last week. I had a lot going on internally and the kids not listening was just to much for me that day. When they are not lining up, or talking in line, I simply wait. I wait for them to do the right thing before we walk, or continue on to our next activity. I was really upset, at my whit's end, and the kids could pick up on this. One of them turned to the rest of the line to yell "she's SAD!" One girl came up to me and quietly said "I'm sad for you because you're sad". The next thing I know, 5 girls are hugging me, saying "I love you". 

At the end of the day, I usually sit the kids down on the carpet and we talk for about 10 minutes about the day, how they think I felt about their behavior, how they felt, what they think they did right/wrong, etc. I was standing up there, looking drained (because I was), and a little boy came up and gave me a piece of his Halloween candy, and said "this is for you". It was the sweetest. (No pun intended. Just kidding. Pun very much intended). 

I come to realize that even in my hardest days, there is always some good to be found. Yes, sometimes you have to look very VERY hard for it...but it's there. It's the small things that move my heart the most and bring it the most joy. A smile, an "I love you", kids fighting over who gets to hold your hand, little birthday cakes made out of sand, colored pictures, painted rocks, and never running out of hugs...these are all little blessings I am given every single day. I am thankful.

:)