Emotional

This morning as I was frantically grading journal entries, one in particular struck me. This kid has been the very definition of "little hellion". I will be the first to admit that he has very little control over anything that he does. From the outside looking in, the story is incredibly sad and depressing. From my position, everything about it is frustrating. Daily.

However, he left me a downright gem in his reading journal this week. His entry went something like this:

Ms. C,
I really liked the book I am reading this week. It is kind of scary, and I like scary books. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I know you are trying really hard.

Love,
(Kiddo)

Those last two sentences brought me to tears at 8am this morning. For this kid, who has written only one previous journal entry, putting that into words is H.U.G.E. And he thanked me?! **


It's times like those that I can look back on when I think I'm doing nothing right. Even when I'm yelling and angry and frustrated and impatient, maybe a kid is seeing that I care. Because I do. Otherwise I wouldn't have the energy to yell and be angry and frustrated and impatient. Although I'm making a conscious effort to do/feel those things less frequently (updates on that later).

Now there's a little food for thought for you.

After reading that journal entry and having myself a healthy little cry, this Martina McBride song came on my Jason Aldean Pandora station (Pandora at school is highly illegal....just call me a rebel....and don't tell).



**It should also be noted that he wrote this journal entry because I bribed him with the "privilege" of sitting under my desk with a pillow. Do Whatever It Takes. DWIT, if you will. (Major props for getting this reference)