Monday, April 11, 2016

A to Z Challenge 2016: It takes a Village and other Its

There is an African proverb stating "it takes a village to raise a child." There is a lot of truth to that proverb. There is also a lot of truth in that there are children who are being raised by single parents. In this day and age regardless if a child has one or two parents it is hard to find the village!

I'm blessed with a healthy, intelligent child who doesn't have any major problems. I know that is despite what the child may think. She has two parents who love her very much. That being said it still isn't easy to be a parent and it still takes a village to raise her!

It is my daughter's birthday and she is on my mind. It is true my inspiration came for this post came from dropping off cupcakes for her entire class. The poor teacher is going to have a class full of sugared high students all because of me. Parents are going to hate me because I provided their kids with junk food. Yes I'm bad like Jesse James! But this post isn't about my daughter or being bad. It is about what I witnessed.

In the adult world it is so easy to complain. The teacher isn't doing her job! The administration isn't helping my child. Does any of that sound familiar? It might. Don't worry you don't have to answer that. That is not what this post is about. It is about teachers doing their job! It is about other students.

When I brought the cupcakes to my child's class as a visitor. The school day had just started. Most of the students were in class. I ran into one student who was late who looked like he was having a rough morning but that isn't what my post is about. I noticed a couple of teachers escorting some children to class. This is what my post is about.

The students I observed had special needs. The ones I watched appeared to have some physical issues. I don't know if they had any mental problems. It really wasn't my business what needs they had. The first one I passed went out of his way to wave at me and he had a big smile. I waved back and said "Hi!" or "Good Morning!" and returned the wave. I smiled back too but I wasn't the only one with a smile. The teacher escorting the young scholar was also smiling. The next student I watched being escort I waved at! I guess waving is contagious. The child and teacher were already smiling.

I don't know how these teachers teach these students that have their special needs. All the natural smiles indicated to me that they are taught with a lot of love. It was apparent these children were being treated special just like my daughter! The dedication, the passion, the love these teachers working with children who have special needs was apparent to me as I watched the smiles and waves.
The children with even more needs than normal children really do need a village and I am glad I found the village.

It impressed me this morning. It was the children and the teachers!

6 comments:

Jeffrey Scott said...

That's such a great quote. And so true, we need to find that village, whether it's supplied by friends and family, or extended family and friends, or school mates and teachers, or our spiritual advisors. Where ever we find that village, it's important we do our part to be a part of that village as well and give our full support too.

Ravyne said...

Beautiful post, Mike... more children do indeed need a village :)
Many Blessings,
Lori

My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
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Rebecca Green Gasper said...

It certainly does take a village! I'm so glad you have such a supportive one. What a great school and such wonderful teachers to help raise and interact with your daughter. Happy birthday to her. I wish you all the best. I wish her the best.

Michele at Angels Bark said...

What a beautiful story Mike! That's so refreshing to hear. Because you're right, all too often people are complaining. Hardly do they take the time to talk about the good that is going on all around us. I'm glad you took the time to do that today.
I really enjoyed your post.

Michele at Angels Bark

Unknown said...

Nice story on the special day for you and your daughter!

Liz A. said...

Those classes are quite amazing. I have witnessed them first hand, and those teachers and aides work their butts off.

Liz A. from
Laws of Gravity