The energy that poured out of those kids flowed straight to our hearts as we continued to deliver many different versions of Rudolph, Frosty and any other fun Christmas Songs we could come up with.
The kids sang and danced.
They jumped and wiggled.
They cheered and hugged.
Because, on THE LAST DAY everyone is happy.
It was one of the most enjoyable days of my life, not just because of the kids, but also because I spent some great quality time singing with my "rock-star" brother. You know, Tony and I didn't always see eye-to-eye when we grew up. But, it's moments like THAT ONE when I realize - 'yep, he's MY brother.' We both walked away into our Christmas Break with a happier heart and a sore throat.
One of my precious parents, WENDY, snapped the photo above. When I returned from Christmas Break that year, a copy appeared on my desk. I kept it in my desk for at least 2 years, and then misplaced it. I spent the last few weeks looking for it, to show you. I was unable to locate it, so I emailed her last night asking her if she had an extra copy. It appeared in my inbox this morning.
On this LAST DAY before break, I continue to stand in amazement at the outpouring of wonderful people that I have been blessed to know while working at this fabulous little school.
3 comments:
I can honestly tell you, that that day was a turning point for me in my life when it comes to Christmas. Up until then, most of my Christmases weren't very merry. Really, the entire experience of working at WMAAA changed how I thought about a lot of things. Seeing genuine cheer on all the kids faces when we were singing those songs, or the look of amazement they had on their faces the first time they opened the macbooks...
I dont really get to interact with students at my new job. Until the other day. A teacher was having a rough time implementing a new laptop cart into her classroom. The kids were having an even rougher time. I tell ya, my WMAAA training kicked in, and I was able to spend an hour with them for the next 3 days. I was able to interact with them, and see that same look of amazement that I saw once before. I LOVED IT!
I am truly blessed to have been able to spend time at WMAAA, and I think about it every day. I am still very bitter for the way I was let go, but I know that I have been part of a much bigger picture than just me.
Ty said to me a few weeks ago. "I still spell school S-C-H-O-O-L from the song we wrote in 2nd grade". Hearing that brought a tear to my eye and I could feel a lump in my throat. Just knowing that I was able to be a part of such wondrous things brings cheer to my heart this Christmas season.
I look back at those days, of putting up a pole in the staff lounge to celibrate my OWN version of Festivus, walking thru the halls with some students on my way to fix a computer while playing the mission impossible theme song on my cell phone, eagerly awaiting the summer break, INSISTING that the kids call me TONY instead of Mr. Hulings ( I am NOT my Dad )...
I could go on for hours, but since this is Kristies blog, I suppose it's time for me to shut it.
Merry Christmas to you all
p.s. Even though we don't see eye to eye, I'm happy that I can look you in the eye and tell you "I love you sissy".
....oh, now I'm REALLY crying!
(I would love a copy of that pic)
I love it ....you just keep getting better and better with every story you share!
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