I stood at the copier, Monday morning, making copies for the end of the day’s faculty meeting. The kids started to file off of their buses and into the hallways. I smiled as the copier did it’s thing.
A warm smile came my way. It was A from second grade. I had just been in his classroom on Friday after a little hiatus. “What are you making?” he asked, smile still bright. I don’t think he ever stops smiling. I explained about the meeting later in the day. He seemed genuinely interested.
As soon as I finished talking, he said something about The Minions. I bent down to hear him better. “In the Minions Movie, one of the Minions sits on the copy machine,” his smile got a little bigger and a little sillier as he imagined the scene.
I laughed. “We can’t try that at school,” I said, seeing his wheels turning. “But that sounds pretty funny.”
A agreed, then made a move to start heading towards his classroom. At the last second, he leaned in for a quick hug before joining the crowd moving down the hall.
Many hours later, as I stood checking off names at bus dismissal, I felt arms wrap around me from behind. I twisted my body around to see the same warm smile that had greeted me that morning. As quick as he arrived, he was off to find his place in the crowd.
Those hugs and that smile were the perfect bookends to my day.
Where There Is Joy 
This is what is the best part of teaching for me… the innocence and the joy of a little kid! I like how you write how it seems to you that this little boy is always smiling and you bent down close to hear his words! It doesn’t take much to make someone feel appreciated and you taking the time to listen clearly impacted this little one…. as he shows you how he feels as he stops to hug you at the end of the day!
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Gotta love those little boys with their affection and charm. Sounds like A. will be on the lookout for you from now on, and I can imagine you’ll be an important person in his elementary school memories. Kids remember and appreciate adults who talk to them.
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Such warmth here! I do love those little hugs!
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This is another example of finding and capturing the small moments that make up a day. I love the structure of this slice, moments that make you wonder about the moments in between.
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Those bookend moments are why I can’t imagine doing any other job! The perks!
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Awwww how sweet!
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Hehehe. “We can’t try that at school!” This made me giggle. What a sweetie!
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I bet you were in that room teaching poetry! Teaching writing — writer to writer forms a connection like no other. A knew you were the kind of teacher who could handle the minion share and one who deserved not one, but two hugs! Love it!
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It was phonics. Short and long vowels. That’s how you hook them… 🤣🤣🤣
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Relationships! That’s what it is all about.
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This was so sweet, and wonderfully described. I can picture little A’s smile. The perfect bookends to your day!
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Oh yes, those students are just the best, sometimes a bit few and far between, but always worth the wait. Love your last sentence.
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