first graders

For first graders, the little things are absolutely HUGE things. Someone stealing another person's eraser. Someone cutting in line. Someone making a face at someone else. And while all those acts are not nice to do in any situation at any age level (steal, cheat, make fun), once those acts are committed against a first grader it affects their entire world as if there's no hope in the end. It has been a tiring, interesting, and rewarding week of substituting in the first grade classroom I've come to know and love over the past couple of weeks. These children are precious, sweethearts but have baggage like everyone else that can hinder the day from flowing smoothly. They just need to be shown patience, care, and love as well as being given guidance, forgiveness, and encouragement. I'm thankful I could provide that for twenty-one little individuals this week. What they don't know is that they affected my heart just as much as I hope I affected theirs. My refrigerator is covered with pictures, drawings, and sweet notes the children gave me throughout the week. And like I've said to myself lately, hugs from first graders are the jam.