over fall break, i've had the privilege of caring for and loving on two of my favorite little people. at ages 5 and 3 i will not lie and say it's been a picnic every day. because, like i said: ages 5 and 3, people. but i will tell you it has been an absolute blast. we've done some of my favorite fall things. things i drag my "adult" friends to and they are less-than-jazzed. things that are only truly fun for those who are young or young at heart. we baked. we went apple picking. we danced. today i took the nuggets to cincinnati to share one of my favorite places with them. my church. one of the things i love most about crossroads is the way they make the gospel accessible for every kind of person old or young. and they have this awesome program for kids that allows them to get to know jesus in a way that makes sense to them and their growing brains. now, i had two kids to drop off. so two goodbyes. two "i'll be right backs." two "don't worry, it's going to be alrights." now, as an educator i've been on the receiving end of sad child hand offs multiple times. i've pried many a little hand away from the hand of a parent and reassured countless fallen tear-stained faces. but i've never been on the other side. the side that has to walk away. the side that has to smile bravely and promise to be back soon. when i left these kids, i had been with them for over 72 hours and i was pleased as punch to have a break for an hour to sit by myself and not have someone sneeze on me. and yet, i had to swallow a huge frog (sob) in my throat as i heard their cries from behind me. but i did. i went to church. i sang. i danced. i prayed. and when i picked up the kids, they had done the same. i also learned something. the walking away part is hard: but the coming back part is THE best. the looks on their faces. the hugs. the happy, "let me tell you about everything i've done" face! it was a tiny moment of joy. but oh, was it mighty. and then we left and they fought all the way home and proceeded to fight me like crazy about putting on pjs (like it's SUCH a surprise pjs have to be worn). what i also learned is this: it's tough as shit to be a grown up. at my age it's tough to restrain yourself at target, pay taxes that don't seem fair, and at times: leave your bra on after a full 12 hour work day. for older grown ups it's hard to wake up at 1 am for potty breaks, leave your kids at church kids club, and (if a female) i would assume the bra thing is true for you too. one day, i hope god blesses with babies of my own. i will love them like crazy and probably cry when i leave them at kids club. but for now, i'm happy to be miss d. the miss d who loves other people's kiddos as best i can while they are in my care. thank you, to the parents who have had to walk away from nuggets they've left in my classroom. i promise they are in good hands. happy fall, friends. xo, makeshift mama, miss d
0 Comments
|
archives
July 2020
categories |