I do love you!

A miracle. 

I feel as though it is an utter miracle that I am teaching the children I am in the schools that I am. I look back at the girl I was 5 years ago, wondering who I was going to be, and smile. She had no idea where she would end up and that it would be much more than she ever dreamed. 

I recently moved and had a chance to go through some of my old books from college. I found a bunch of books that I bought for Education classes at GVSU. I was really into a few book series then, but boxed the books up because I hadn't yet had a classroom for them to live. This all changed this year when I brought that box of old books into my classroom. I pulled some of the "Skippy Jon Jones" books out and read them to my kids. It brought me so much joy to see them enjoy the books and ask if I had any more. Who would have known? 

There was one other book in that dusty old box that brought me great happiness upon finding it. "Koala Lou". Oh how I loved this book from the very moment I read it. The story is all about a Koala signing up for a race she wasn't sure if she could finish. In the beginning of the story the Koala's mother tells her every day of her strenuous training that she loves her. "Koala Lou, I DO love you" was repeated over and over for sweet Koala Lou to hear. Eventually, though, the Koala's mother became too busy raising her other children to constantly reassure Koala Lou with her love. Deep down Koala Lou still knew that her mother loved her as she continued to train, but she felt sad. 

Even though we know we are loved it is still nice to hear it once and awhile during our "training". Reassurance is always a good thing. 

Today was a crazy day in the life and I was feeling more than weary when it came time to grab my kids for our after school program. This is, no doubt, my favorite part of the day, but I wasn't sure if I had the heart for it today. Reassurance came in like a sweet kiss on my cheek when one of my students waved me over to say, "Miss Lett Lou, I DO love you!" She then giggled and smiled a crooked, toothless grin. 

You see, after reading Koala Lou to my students I then went around the room saying each of their names followed by "Lou" and the phrase "I DO love you". I thought it would be a cute way for me to remind and reassure them that I DO love them. 

It is more than special to know that my students feel it in their hearts to reassure me as well. We are a family. 

Thankful to be where I am. Tired, but so very thankful. :)