My career...

It is on quiet days like this, when Kevin is at work and I am home, that I realize just how lucky I am to have the career that I do. I knew from the time I was little that I loved teaching (or being in charge), and I loved any kids younger than myself. I am so thankful that I took the (maybe somewhat extra) time to figure out what I truly wanted to be when I grew up. 
There is not a day that goes by at school where I don't smile at their innocence and sweetness, beam with pride at their achievements, or start cracking up at something the kids do or say. And to watch them giggle is honestly the most infectious thing in the world because of the pure joy in their laughs. Don't get me wrong, we have tough days, and there are definitely kids I would not bring home with me, but there are more that I would, and more days that we spend our time laughing together while we learn.


For example on Wednesday the kids wanted to show me a picture of "the fattest priest in the world" out of the Guinness World Record book that they so cherish. This surprised me that it would even be a category, so I agreed to look at it with them. About 12 of them come running over to me with the book and say, "Mrs. O'Neil!!! Look it!!! He weighs like 800 pounds!" Of course all the little girls were making gagging noises at the time. I looked at the picture and saw a man with a only a sheet wrapped around him and read the caption out loud to them. Turns out he was 1,235 pounds and bed ridden, but nothing about being a priest. I said, "Guys, it doesn't say he is a priest, what made you think that?" One boy looks up and says, "Because Mrs. O'Neil, he is wearing those underwear that they wear." All the rest giggle in agreement. It took me a second to realize what they were all in agreement about then I said, "OOOHHHH, no, guys you are thinking of Sumo Wrestlers that wear underwear like this! And he isn't even one of those, that's just all that will fit him!" They all smiled and looked at me when one replied... "yeah, same thing." I just couldn't contain my laughter "yeah, same thing?" A priest and a sumo wrestler, their right, pretty darn close. :)
Another day I was walking around while the kids were working and I heard a faint noise coming from a corner of the room. I looked over and everyone seemed to be working away, so I walked closer to see what exactly it was. When I got over by the two little boys I heard one of them was singing, "Sleep Country USA! Why buy a mattress anywhere else?!?" Without missing a beat, without lifting his head, almost subconsciously, the kid next to him goes, right on cue, "DING!!!" Neither looked up, neither even realized they had done it. They just kept working. I had to walk away so I could laugh without them noticing. 
I have at least one of these stories everyday. That's the joy of working with kids. They don't have to try to be funny, they aren't embarrassed to laugh at themselves, and they truly enjoy life everyday. You have never experienced the excitement Valentines Day, or Halloween until you have visited a school on these days. Spend a day with them in a classroom, you can learn a lot from these little beings. I know I do, and I am truly lucky to get to spend the next 30 years doing it!