In Their Eyes

You don't know what you've been missing out on...

Do you know what it feels like

to fall in your arms?

Do you know what it feels like

to love you?

Don't forget who it is that you are.

As a student teacher, I am usually not working in the classroom on Fridays, but today I decided to surprise my students for their Valentines Day party.

When the afternoon class trickled through the door, my Taven spotted me and his big brown eyes lit up. I thought his blonde head of hair was going to explode from his excitement.

"YOU'RE HERE! I KNEW YOU'D COME! YOU'RE HERE! YOU'RE HERE!!"

He ran to me and flung his little arms around my neck.

For a handful of students, school is their only time they can truly be a child.

A time where they are getting what is best for them.

One girl has parents who work with computers. They plop her in front of the television quite often, and she would much rather read.

The joy I see in her eyes as I read books to her is heartbreaking, but fulfilling at the same time. She could read for hours and never get tired of it.

Another boy is constantly switching from house to house, back and fourth to mom and dad, to step mom and dad, There are days when tears are in his big blue eyes. 

He doesn't want to leave school.

He doesn't want to see anyone.

He just wants to stay with us in the classroom.  

There are parents who are putting enormous pressure on their 4 and 5 year olds, expecting us to make them 4th grade level readers, when in reality reading might be a struggle.

These children are stealing my heart, and I'm beginning to find out that I am truly playing a vital card in their lives.

It's a lot of pressure, but who will be there for them, if no one else is?

Before the madness of kindergarten, before too many tests and expectations are shoved down their throats, this is the very last time their lives will be as they know it.

My parents are apart of a program called "Big Brothers, Big Sisters."

What the program does is give a Big a Little.

The Big sponsors a Little. A child from a tough family background.

Currently my parents are sponsors for a boy named Joshua.

He is honestly the most beautiful child I have ever seen.

He is fair skinned, has jet black hair, and has deep green eyes. He almost looks wild at times.

We are all scratching our heads because each time Joshua comes to our home, he always brings pages and pages of pictures he colored for me.

 

He has taken a great liking to me, even though I barely see him.

 

A few weeks ago, I was getting ready for a party. My father knocked on my door asking what I was doing.

 

I was in the middle of doing my hair and makeup and wasn't presentable at all. I wasn't even dressed yet and had been living in my robe most of the morning.  

 

My father requested I go downstairs because someone was there waiting for me. He had some pictures for me.

I knew right away who was down there. He was probably hiding in the front closet giggling and wondering if I'd find him.

 

With half done hair, and a half done face, I stared back at my reflection. I really wanted to finish up and get going to this party, but I paused remembering my own students.

 

Even though he wasn't my job, it was just as important to be here for this kid.

 

I threw my hair up into a bun, quickly slipped into some clothes, and went downstairs to find a very happy boy and a bunch of new pictures.

 

You wouldn't believe how much happiness you can give a child, just by being there with them.

By talking with them and spending time with them.

By listening to what they have to say.

I cringe in shops when I overhear a child telling his mom or dad about a story or something significant to them, but the parent is so busy looking for what is on their shopping list, they aren't truly listening and give their child that distant "uh huh" or tell them to be quiet, they're looking for spaghetti sauce.

A little goes a long way.

Your time and attention means more than you know.

 

It can make a broken world, not so broken anymore.

Play their games.

Encourage imagination.

Give them your care.

They'll see it in your eyes..and it might be the best thing they've seen all day.

And when the children who are dealing with chaos see it in your eyes, their eyes of sadness will change into eyes of happiness...and it was because of you.  

Please take the time to watch the video below. 

I think it will bring what I'm trying to get across to life.  

Author's Note

Reviews

[Alucard6336]

I figured id give a fair review.

Children need to be protected. The last part of this writing piece is strong.

Famous samurai dies protecting commoners and children, women too. That would be a glorious death. Soldiers die protecting them too, as did my great uncle.

Here's to you, Kat.

[Terry O'Leary]

You're so right!
A child is so 'absorbing'...
Loved this message, so well penned!
Terry

[dan]

Kathryn, I admire you for the work that you do; a lot of parents feel that their child's teacher is responsible for raising them, and if the child brings home a bad grade they blame the teacher. Oh, that and the fact that teachers are woefully underpaid.
The second part of your story, about Joshua (my son's name and today is his 33rd birthday) really drives home the point of how kids need their parents to be good role models, to show them that they are loved and to devote as much time as possible to being with their children. Not just a disciplinarian when kids act out but a cheerleader when they do well. And the video fit the write perfectly. Thank you for the read request, I am happy I was able to read this lovely piece. take care...dan

[Brad P]

Wow! Beautifully written as always. It's easy to forget that simple acts can make such a difference in anyone's life, especially that of children. A close friend of mine is a nanny, and the parents are barely there for their own children. Time and again she finds herself doing the job of parent as well as her own, going above and beyond to ensure the children are shown the love and encouragement they don't receive from the people it should mean the most from. You are clearly doing the same thing. You should feel great for what you are doing for these children. The smiles of children are an unparalleled reward. As always, thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more

[wordman]

you are a great teacher,we need a lot more like you..
you know the kids and what they love,you know their fears
and most of all you care !