Today I got to play at Morgan's school. I love when I get the opportunity to volunteer for a few hours. Since it was a scheduled day off from work I was able to go in a little early and help set up for the all school Fun Run. Since Morgan is our oldest child, most "school related" activities are unfamiliar territory for me.
While waiting for the organizers to arrive, this gave me an opportunity to visit with some of the other moms. Seeing familiar faces makes everything a little easier. We got everything set up and ready for the kids to do their laps.
Morgan has been talking for two weeks about this Fun Run event. The kids were very excited and I was excited to share in the fun. It was calm in the gym and all the parents were patiently waiting for their child's class to arrive. Each class got into place and was given their instructions. My job was to add a little "tick" (the more ticks the better) to their index card as they ran past, and cheer them on their way. I had no idea of the impact this day would make on ME.
I attended a seminar several years ago and was ask "what is your first childhood memory?" Some say, this first memory can influence what you do in life. I also feel that there are several moments in your life that someone can say or do something, without even knowing they are doing it, and it will impact and stay with you forever. Today I felt this amazing feeling that I could be THAT person saying or doing THAT thing to those little kids.
The kids were off and before I knew it I was seeing the same familiar faces in front of me. As I marked their card and said they were doing awesome, off they went. Again the same kids kept approaching me, and looking at me with those amazingly large, full-of-life, eyes. I was determined to be THAT person.
I was having so much fun and since it was my day off, I decided to help with the next group of kids. This time, it was third graders. All the kids were given their cards and instructions. I got into position and off they went. I must say, third graders are much faster and competitive compared to the kindergartners. The race started out the same. I then started to see the same familiar faces coming back to me for inspiration. This time I could see the kids coming and we were making eye-contact several paces before they arrived. I knew this was my moment to make a small different. I remember this sweet little girl with long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She didn't exactly run because it appeared She seemed to have a slight disability with her leg, but kept an amazing pace. I would see this girl coming towards me and she was determined to get to me all the while kids are zipping past her. As I marked her card, she was smiling and off she went again. This little girl did 28 laps around the gym while her best friend did 34. If I was that little girl's momma, I would be so proud.
The little girl was only one of a handful that was special to me today (including my own). I will never know the impact I had on these little kids, but I know I made them smile today and gave them a lot of encouragement.
No comments:
Post a Comment