Monday afternoons will always find me at Hagen Ranch School. I work in an after-school program volunteering to help students with homework studies and reading books.
This year I've been working with 2 little girls, Ashley and Giselle, both eager, darling, enthusiastic children.
I can't get either of them out of my mind this week. Gizelle took a 6 by 8 card and pulled a pink marking pen out of her backpack.
I looked to see what she was doing. It was a love letter to both her parents letting them know how much she loves them.
On the bottom of the card she drew two hearts, one for mom and one for dad.
I told her what a nice idea that was. Then this sweet child informed me that her parents had broken up.
I looked at her and I could feel her heartache. This was her way of letting go of some of the emotion that she was feeling. How smart--she put it down on paper...took it home and gave it to her mother. That was also her way of letting me know what happened in her home. She just didn't blurt it out...that was her way of explaining it to me. Poor little girl!
Ashley on the other hand was staring at my face and then she asked how old am I. I laughingly informed her 1000 years old..
She stared and said she didn't believe me. Then she asked again and I told her 47. She, only 6 years old, told me that couldn't be true...her mother is 45 and has no wrinkles.
Then I told her I was much older and she asked why I had wrinkles and she started tracing her little hand up and down my check.
I said don't do that...it makes me feel self-conscious...and she asked what that meant. It means that I don't like the wrinkles but that happens when you get old.
Then....she gave me a big hug...and said she loves my wrinkles.
Before I left I was given a handbook to bring home. The girls asked me if a handbook was a book for hands.
I explained that it's just called a handbook because it's small and fits easily into hands.
They then asked if they could draw their hands in it so that I would keep it forever....and I really will.
I can't get these kids out of my thoughts.....so young and precious!
