Tiny Faces

Twenty-four tiny faces stared at me on their first day of Kindergarten.  I wasn’t their teacher – just someone volunteering who hoped to bring positive thoughts to little minds.  In spotting tears streaming down a small boy’s cheeks, I faced my first challenge.  How thankful I was that a drink of water cured what was on his mind – “My Mom is missing me” he said.

Spending only one morning each week in the classroom makes it difficult to immediately form meaningful connections. I knew from previous years that it was often the last weeks of class when that happened.  However, after just three weeks, as I passed by the kids enjoying their recess, I recognized a girl with big red bows yelling from her swing — “I’ll miss you.”  A memorable moment.