Partnership Educators,
Every fall, the trees begin to change colors and turn beautiful shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. This color change makes for beautiful scenery for a weekend drive or a masterful painting of this great county we live in. While we enjoy the masterpiece that Mother Nature has created, it gives most of us pause to reflect on the beauty of our life and those reasons to be thankful.
When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed ws expected of them.
What took Mrs. Klaien aback was Douglas's picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas's drawing was simply a hand. It wasn't obvious whose hand it was and so many of the other students in the class speculated on the meaning of the hand in Douglas's drawing.
"A farmer" said a student, "because they grow the turkeys."
"It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us," said another.
Later that day when the others were at work on another project, she bent over to Douglas's desk an asked whose hand it was.
Douglas mumbled, "It's yours, Teacher."
It was then that Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time but to now know how much it meant to Douglas was overwhelming.
Perhaps, when we reflect on those things that we are most thankful for, we can give thought to those actions that we all do for our school children each and every day and how much of a difference it makes in their lives. I am truly thankful for the loving and caring individuals that I have the privilege to work with. Thanks for holding those hands, wiping little noses, and for doing all those little, seemingly meaningless, things that many of us take for granted but mean so much to those that receive.
https://youtu.be/tvEcQoMEvNQ
https://youtu.be/rBrd_3VMC3c
Have a great Thanksgiving Week next week. See you all when we return.
Rob