A Little Cuteness

The things that get me through my work day sometimes are under 5 feet tall. They are full of cuteness, mischievousness and light. They make me smile.

Last week a darling first grader walked up to me during a crazy, hectic, out-of-control lunch time.

Boy: Miss, Heather, I'm so so sorry but there's a gallon of pee over there on the floor.

Me: What?

Boy: Over there by the garbage. I spilled some. There's a gallon of pee over there.

Me: Okay honey-why don't you show me where?

We walked over to the garbage cans and every pea that had been on his tray had rolled onto the floor. It was all I could do not to fall over laughing. I assured him this happens to everyone and set about cleaning it up.


Then while testing a kindergartener for reading, she interrupted the test and this is how the conversation went...

Girl: Do you know I was never born?

Me: Really? Wow! How come?

Girl: Well my dad had this dog that he really loved. She was really old and had the same name as me. She died right before I came, and well, here she is!

Me: Wow! So you're the dog?

Girl: Yup! Now my dad doesn't have to be sad anymore!

And finally today, one of my long time admirers walked up to me. She has been known to hug me tightly then hang from what ever part of me she is attached to. Recently she was told by another adult that her hugs like that were a little too big. Reluctantly she let go and with slumped shoulders walked down the hall. Today during lunch she walked over to have a little chat.

Girl: Heather, I just love you.

Me: Well I love you too!

Girl: Well I love you most. I love you so much I just really, really want to SQUEEZE you! (she stood there literally shaking, her little fists clenched and shaking from her head to her toes.)  Needless to say, I felt loved.

There are fun moments I get to enjoy like this on a regular basis. I love the sunshine I receive from all my kiddos! I'm grateful.

In Defense

It's got to be said. It is time.

I love America. I love my country, my freedoms, my heritage. I love patriotism. I love hope and goodness. Songs like our National Anthem and The Battle Hymn of the Republic and so many other patriotic songs not only make me think of America and all it stands for~ they are also bright symbols of hope, faith, and all the things I cherish as an American Citizen. I love those songs, and the feelings they give me anywhere, anytime. They make me happy and grateful. They always bring a feeling of unity to those who enjoy America. And we listen with grateful hearts all through each year.

So let's talk about Christmas music. I know, I know...it's only September you say. Well, I am listening to Christmas music. It makes me feel the same way!  I was raised on it. It makes me happy.  It gives me hope. It reminds me of faith and family and all I've been blessed with. It embodies everything good. I love it. It keeps Christ in my thoughts. It makes me want to do good.

This morning choir practice began at my school. Guess what they were singing? Yup-Christmas music. And it made me feel great. It made the kids feel great too. Because they see the joy in it, and not the stress. They live in the feeling it gives them and not the rush of getting the season here. They understand that Christmas isn't just a day, or even a season~it's a state of the heart and where our hearts should always be. Grateful. Full of faith and joy and hope. So I will keep listening, and loving it. I'm not rushing Christmas here, just keeping it close to me always. And I am grateful.

The Spice of Life

I was recently tagged in a post on Facebook: 5 days, 5 blessings, 5 friends. I'm always looking for the good things in life, so this seemed like a fun opportunity to take advantage of. It should have been easy. I keep a gratitude journal that I write in almost daily. As I was posting these things on Facebook and it was only 5 blessings a day, I really had to give it some thought.

One of the blessings that I came up with is Variety in People. I agree whole-heartedly with the notion that variety is the spice of life. Especially  in people! I don't think that there is a person alive who could stand to live with a billion copies of themselves. I know I'd be insane within a week-if not sooner.

It was ironic (or maybe divinely inspired) to me that not a few days after I had posted this blessing, I had a true taste of variety. I went to Salt Lake Comic Con. And oh the variety there...on so many levels. Rich, poor, tall, short, skinny, black, blue, purple, loud, quiet, wonderfully imaginative, plainly dressed, happy, scared, overwhelmed, fascinating, geeky, intelligent, amazing people surrounded me-in quite close proximity. It was one of the most fun, overwhelming, over-stimulating, fascinating, eye-opening experiences I have ever had. In all those emotions, I absolutely enjoyed myself. I think everyone should experience something like that at least once in their lives.

One of the absolute coolest things that dawned on me there is that in all that variety, I was surrounded by all my brothers and sisters. I remembered that we all share the same Creator. That God sent each one of them here at the same time as me. That I have a connection to every single one of them. In theory (and in my heart) I know this, but sometimes the differences around me stand out as something to be wary of instead of something to celebrate. In those hours that I was in a setting with so many walks of life with so many interests and backgrounds and cultures (real and imagined) I was connected. Everyone there was cool, and everyone there fit in. I want life to be that way, and I realize I have to be a part of that to make it happen. It doesn't mean I will celebrate every difference, or every action, or every decision that is different from mine, but I will celebrate the fact that we ARE different and that adds a lot of nice flavor to life.