It's the Little Things in Life

[Forestgal]

I started out the day really struggling inside -- lots of internal conversations going on. It was hard to hold it together, thinking about all I had to do, those 37 faces staring at me (hopefully!) for the next 7 hours ... you know.

As I was walking down the hall the first grade sister of one of my students came running up to me with a huge grin on her face & her arms wide open. "Ms. Maydahl!" she exclaimed, and I got a big ol' bear hug from a teeny-tiny kid whose name I didn't even know.

She doesn't know it, but she's made my day.

[Getupngo]

Amazing how one little voice can drown out the din of one's internal demons. Enjoy
your class.

[Acadianmom]

And you'll never know how something you do for your kids will be remembered for the rest of their lives. I still remember my 5th grade teacher's name out of all the teachers I had. You can look at my report cards and see the ones that could make me soar and the ones that could crush me. One of my college professors kept me from quitting and I will be forever great full to him.

My son had ADD and had a terrible time with school. I think I had some of the same problems but it wasn't recognized in the 1950's. His 3rd grade teacher was so hard on him that he had to go to counseling because he wanted to die rather than go to school. She had to take a medical leave and he loved the teacher that replaced her. For the rest of the time she was at his school he would go hug her when they met.

Keep hanging in there, you have one of the hardest and most important jobs.

Martha

[ali1257]

Thanks for the reminder that it is the little things that make our day. After a frustrating time with the motor home today reading your post I can say I am thankful we made it back to the KOA without any further problems. We have a plan for the next few days to have some fun and makes me wonder what does the Lord have in store for us on this journey we are on.

Thanks again for sharing!

[Nasoosie]

Good thought for the day, Laura. I need to constantly remind myself about the little things that really count in the job of teaching.....I can so easily get discouraged and think nothing I do will make a difference. And then something like what you experienced will happen, and everything else seems just not so important! I suspect that other days the reminders of our worth are just a bit more subtle....I hope.

[avalen]

oh so true!!!
remember last year when I got this new group of kids and they were all so grumpy
and in their own little world and I continued to say good morning when they got
on the bus, and dropping them off at school told them to have a good day and
the same when friday came around and I dropped them off and told them to have
a good weekend, they eventually opened up and started reciprocating with nice
comments as well, and now.............when I'm the struggeling grumpy one I find
them telling ME good morning and by the time I drop them off and tell them to
have a good day I remember to be human and they do make me smile. They
definately brighten up my day It may be a little thing but to some of us, it
is a HUGE thing that others don't understand.
Enjoy those little things in life.

[BirdbyBird]

We should never underestimate our effect on others.......especially children......words do have power to heal or hurt....as well as actions.... It is always good to be reminded ...and hold important things close to your heart......

[Liz]

Ahhh, that warms the cockles of my heart. Wonder what cockles are, anyway, that they get warmed by stories like this.

[mitch5252]

Ahhh, that warms the cockles of my heart. Wonder what cockles are, anyway, that they get warmed by stories like this.

cock·le 1 (kkl)
n.
1. Any of various bivalve mollusks of the family Cardiidae, having rounded or heart-shaped shells with radiating ribs.
2. The shell of a cockle.
3. A wrinkle; a pucker.
4. Nautical A cockleshell.
intr. & tr.v. cock·led, cock·ling, cock·les
To become or cause to become wrinkled or puckered.
Idiom:
cockles of (one's) heart
One's innermost feelings: The valentine warmed the cockles of my heart.
[Middle English cokel, from Old French coquille, shell, from Vulgar Latin *cochillia, from Latin conchyllium, from Greek konkhulion, diminutive of konkh, mussel.]


..

[Shirlv]

I watched my 2 yr old great granddaughter. We were acting silly and I made her belly laugh. I don't think there is a more beautiful sound then a child's laughter. Well maybe a hug and sloppy kiss.

[Liz]

Ahhh, that warms the cockles of my heart. Wonder what cockles are, anyway, that they get warmed by stories like this.

cock·le 1 (kkl)
n.
1. Any of various bivalve mollusks of the family Cardiidae, having rounded or heart-shaped shells with radiating ribs.
2. The shell of a cockle.
3. A wrinkle; a pucker.
4. Nautical A cockleshell. ..

Must be the wrinkles

[Sparkle]

Ahhh, that warms the cockles of my heart. Wonder what cockles are, anyway, that they get warmed by stories like this.

cock·le 1 (kkl)
n.
1. Any of various bivalve mollusks of the family Cardiidae, having rounded or heart-shaped shells with radiating ribs.
2. The shell of a cockle.
3. A wrinkle; a pucker.
4. Nautical A cockleshell. ..

Must be the wrinkles

I was sure it was going to Vickie that wrote that.