I love my fifth graders. They are so full of love and compassion for each other. When one of my students was recognized on the morning announcements as a Math Wizard, my entire class applauded when he came back to class. They encourage and compliment their fellow classmates. When my "only been in America for one year" English-as-a-second-language student struggled with language arts, they rallied and reminded her of how far she had come. They fill me with such pride and joy. I am truly blessed every single day I am with them.
Sometimes, my precious students fill me with laughter. Today is one of thos days. This morning, on the way to music class, I noticed that the first five students in line (all boys) were trying to walk in sync, moving their left feet forward at the same time, then their right feet. They struggled to get in rythmn but were unable to get it right.
With a smile on my face, I stopped the class and gave directions for walking in sync. "When I say 'left', move your left foot forward. That way we will all start on the same foot. Walk in rythmn." I turned away from the class, paused, then began repeating in a drill sergeant voice, "Left, left, left, right, left." I continued down the sidewalk, calling and marching, until I came to the door of the music room--a distance of about twenty-feet. I looked behind me, expecting to see a line of fifth grade soldiers, marching in perfect order. Instead, I saw a pile of bodies, arms and legs splayed this way and that.
I ran back. "What happened?" I asked, pulling students from the top of the pile to reveal the face of a bewildered young boy--the one from the front of the line. "Caleb, what happened?" I asked again.
As he struggled to stand, he said in an indignant voice, "You only said left!" Then he and the other students proceeded to show me the impossibility of marching in step when only the left foot was moved: a perfect split by the time the third 'left' was called. Laughter bubbled up and threatened to burst from my lips. Oh my, but they are literal! I could not stop smiling.
Lord, thank You for the joy of children, for their literal-mindedness, for the sheer pleasure of laughter. I am indeed blessed!
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