Enjoying Claire

I so hope you have a Claire in your life.  She's the one who makes you smile before she even gets up close.  My Claire usually has fuzzy hair pulled back in a side pony, bright blue eyes fully attentive on the person she is talking to, and JOY!  I see my Claire on Sunday mornings and Wednesday at church and just knowing I will see her makes me feel happier.
On Wednesday I was the guest host for our Family Worship and every question I asked, game we played, song we sang Claire was all-in, encouraging me with her smile, attention, and comments like "That sounds fun!" and "Thank you, Mrs. Margo!"
Yesterday I heard a sermon while driving to the Y on "Taking Delight in Children".  Of course I thought of our twins and all the things I love and cherish about them - laughter, creativity, jokes, prayers, snuggling... but I also thought about the 7th grader in the class I had subbed in the day before who was a NIGHTMARE -rude, disruptive, belligerent...you name it this kid was it.  As I listened to the sermon I wondered if anyone took delight in him.  I sighed a heavy sigh, realizing probably not if his hygiene, clothes, attitude were any indication.  I wished things had gone better between us, so I prayed for him, and for me...to be more thoughtful of the kids who are harder to enjoy.
I also thought of my Claire when I heard the pastor read the verses about how Jesus blessed the children and seemed to take delight in them.  I was challenged to tell the children in my life how much I like them and appreciate specific things about them...to give them verbal blessings.
So Claire, here goes:
Claire, you are so full of joy and you make me joyful, too.  I appreciate your encouraging words and happy attitude.  I notice when you take time to talk to the other kids, especially the new ones.  You are such a gift to me when you help with our materials and games.  Thank you for being in my life!  I love you for who you are and am so glad God made you!

Hallmark may not sell the cards but yesterday was International Woman's Day and I celebrated by reading about an amazing teacher.

Everyday. She showed up everyday and taught "from her heart".  It was 1960, New Orleans, and Barbara Henry, a white woman from Boston, took the job over the phone for a 1st grade class.  I can't imagine what she was thinking when she made her way through the screaming, angry crowd as she entered and left school .  Or when she waited for her class of students and no one showed up. Or when she first looked into the bright eyes of 6 years old Ruby Nell Bridges, her only student.   They ate lunch together, did jumping jacks, sang, and learned reading and math, neither missing a day of school that year.  She was hired to be a teacher and that is what she did, and she did it well.  What courage! 

How can we be courageous today?  

To see Ruby and Mrs. Henry's reunion check out:   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwb5xsRO1yc

What we get to do.

Orange post-it note, #2 pencil and first grade spelling: “thank you for comeing”, followed by 2 sketched balloons and a heart.  She handed it to me as I was lining up the 19 students in a classroom where I had been the substitute teacher for the day.  Such a genuine act of hospitality from someone I had just met, and not very old either.  4 words that made me feel noticed, appreciated and valuable.  I was reminded again what an honor it is to be a teacher, and how important hospitality and encouragement are for each of us.

Welcome to my blog!  If you love working with children at school, church, community center, or home, I invite you in...to be celebrated and encouraged, and even inspired, to do the meaningful work of teaching, coaching, parenting, loving children.   What an amazing job we get to do!