The biggest joy I find is in coming home to my family. There is no other comfort on earth that I look forward to more than coming and relaxing in the haven I call home, with the people I call family. The gratitude I feel for this blessing I can't express in any way that would be remotely adequate, but I feel it nonetheless.
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| New Years Eve on Temple Square |
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| New Years Eve Dinner with Cassie & Stephen |
Another joy I feel quite regularly is the joy of having good people (of all ages) all around me. At this time each year, I have the immense pleasure of doing a middle of the year reading test for hundreds of little children ages 5-9. In the past I have only tested at my school, but this year I have been given the opportunity to venture into other elementary schools within my district. I am officially thick-tongued and exhausted by the end of each day, but the energy and sincerity of these little kids exhilarates me.
The things that come out of their mouths are one of the reasons I work with children!
The other day I had a darling 3rd grader walk in and sit down with me to read. I always try to set each child at ease before reading, so I made small talk while I got my materials ready. This poor little thing was just shaking and I asked her if she was feeling okay. She replied that she had forgotten her glasses and was scared she would need lots of help reading. I assured her that my favorite part of my job was being able to help, and that I would be ready to whenever she needed it. Well, she did a beautiful job and I told her so when we had completed the test. She started to walk away then turned, ran back to me and threw her arms around me. She thanked me for taking away her fears so she could read well. She hugged me tighter and said, " I never could have done it without you!" Now, I knew she could have but it warmed me to the depths of my soul that I could take part in easing her fears. I am in the right profession!
The next day I was at another school with another child; a second grader. She sat down and chatted with me for a minute and once I knew she was at ease I gave her the test instructions and told her to begin. She just stared at me. I told her again to begin and she had the funniest look on her face, yet stayed silent. After a couple more prompts, I stopped and asked her, "Honey, are you alright? Are you feeling okay? Do you need something?" Imagine my delight when she replied, " NO, I just love your smoky eye shadow look!" I just about fell off my chair.
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| Smoky Eyeshadow |
So here's to the small joys in life....the things that get us through each day with a smile. I'm grateful!
