Sometimes it's not the teacher who touches the child's life... It's the child who touches the teacher's life...

I love quotes. A lot of times they explain exactly how I feel - taking the words right out of my mouth. One of my very favorites is at the bottom of my blog. "In 100 years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." That quote truly inspires me and reminds me that all of those material things don't matter... it's the way I'm living my life, helping children, teaching them, feeding their little minds so that they can grow in this ever changing world... that's why I do what I do. My all time favorite quote is "Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them." - Richard L Evans. This quote touches me deeply for one of two reasons: Number 1 - It reminds me once again that it's not about what you have or buy, but how you treat others and love and care for others, especially children. Number 2 - There's a child that comes to my mind and tugs on my heart strings everytime I read that quote. 

Here's his story:  We will call him "Josh". Josh is a student of mine. (Of course saying that, all students past and present are "mine".) He comes from a lower income family. He lives with Dad and grandparents. For the most part, he has family, however grandparents work a lot and the situation with Dad isn't the best, but seems to slowly be getting better. At the beginning of the school year we were doing "Me Bags". He brought in a picture of his mother and said "This is my mom, she's in heaven." My eyes immediately welled with tears as I looked at his mother - young and beautiful... and looked at him, such a sweet and handsome little face. I tried so hard to breathe, as 21 of his classmates were quietly staring at the two of us in the front of the classroom. It took everything I had not to get up and take a second for myself, but I knew I should try to be strong for him. He seemed very non-nonchalant about it, as though it's just a fact. But he also seemed so happy to show us her picture and talk about her. After that day, this little guy has held a special place in my heart. I found myself worrying about him on the weekends, over holidays and even as I let him move on to the next grade. I couldn't imagine being his age and not having a mother - the love of a mother. Mothers have a special gift that no one can replace. They have a special calming, nurturing touch that can heal boo boos in a flash, wipe away tears, and give you the biggest hug in your darkest moments and let you know that everything will be ok. And he is going to grow up without that? From that day on, I vowed that I would be as compassionate and caring, and love this little boy for a very long time. Throughout the year he had a few break downs, crying for his mom, wanting to see her, missing her -  and every time, he wrapped his little arms around me and I just patted his back and hugged him gently to reassure him that someone cares. Someone loves him. Someone supports him, believes in him, and wants what's best for him. I admire him. Such a tough, loving, sweet little boy - considering where he comes from and what he's been through. He will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always worry about him and care for him as if he were my own. Sometimes it's not the teacher who touches the child's life... but the child who touches the teachers life.

~ Caitlin