Another summer, another year of Portland Waldorf summer camp.
It is week 3. Half way done. This summer is seems to be passing me by way more quickly then I expected it too. I'm having a hard time keeping up but I kinda hope it continues to go so speedily.
I'm going to try and post stories from camp every day. Well, Monday-Thursday, camp days.
Thursday, July 19th, 2012
We are all eating lunch in the courtyard between the High School and the Lower School. Most of us like to have a picnic on the ground but some of the children and one teacher will usually sit at the tables. The half day kids have been picked up and gone and I'm left to get the 2nd and 3rd grade boys ready for rest time. The hardest part of the day for me and for some of them. We are about to start cleaning up to head inside when this boy comes up to me completely doubled over in stomach pain. He had a big emotional upset earlier in the day and I think this was probably some left over feelings.
Anyway, I have him sit down next to me leaning up against a tree and start to ask him questions about the pain. Where does it hurt, what kind of hurt, when did it start, is it better when you stand or sit, how does it feel if you squeeze it? I'm an expect in stomach pain myself and have all kinds of descriptive words for these such situations. We talk about it for a few minutes and then I have him lean up against me with one arm tight around his shoulders and the other gently rubbing his arm that is in my lap.
We sit like this silently for a few minutes while taking deep breaths and drinking water. He suddenly looks up at me and says,
"Ms. Sadie, you have some kind of powerful magic."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you always make all the children feel better. When they are sick or angry or sad or anything. You don't even need any medicine."
"Well thank you. I do my best. Do you want to lean on me while we walk inside?"
"Yes please."
When the kids say things like this to me, it's all I can do not melt into a big puddle. I work really hard at my teaching jobs (well all of my jobs but that's not the point). I take it as a prestigious honor and the biggest responsibility a person can have; besides raising their own children. And for some of them, it's more important and better then their home life. It certainly was for me.
This whole week I have gotten a wholehearted compliment from a child everyday. Which is kind of crazy for me to accept because I have been exhausted and distracted everyday. Far from the top of my game. But if they seem to appreciate me when I'm not at my best, it makes me excited for what I can do for them when I am.
Also, I have a idea for a children's book. First notes/draft starts tomorrow!
It is week 3. Half way done. This summer is seems to be passing me by way more quickly then I expected it too. I'm having a hard time keeping up but I kinda hope it continues to go so speedily.
I'm going to try and post stories from camp every day. Well, Monday-Thursday, camp days.
Thursday, July 19th, 2012
We are all eating lunch in the courtyard between the High School and the Lower School. Most of us like to have a picnic on the ground but some of the children and one teacher will usually sit at the tables. The half day kids have been picked up and gone and I'm left to get the 2nd and 3rd grade boys ready for rest time. The hardest part of the day for me and for some of them. We are about to start cleaning up to head inside when this boy comes up to me completely doubled over in stomach pain. He had a big emotional upset earlier in the day and I think this was probably some left over feelings.
Anyway, I have him sit down next to me leaning up against a tree and start to ask him questions about the pain. Where does it hurt, what kind of hurt, when did it start, is it better when you stand or sit, how does it feel if you squeeze it? I'm an expect in stomach pain myself and have all kinds of descriptive words for these such situations. We talk about it for a few minutes and then I have him lean up against me with one arm tight around his shoulders and the other gently rubbing his arm that is in my lap.
We sit like this silently for a few minutes while taking deep breaths and drinking water. He suddenly looks up at me and says,
"Ms. Sadie, you have some kind of powerful magic."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you always make all the children feel better. When they are sick or angry or sad or anything. You don't even need any medicine."
"Well thank you. I do my best. Do you want to lean on me while we walk inside?"
"Yes please."
When the kids say things like this to me, it's all I can do not melt into a big puddle. I work really hard at my teaching jobs (well all of my jobs but that's not the point). I take it as a prestigious honor and the biggest responsibility a person can have; besides raising their own children. And for some of them, it's more important and better then their home life. It certainly was for me.
This whole week I have gotten a wholehearted compliment from a child everyday. Which is kind of crazy for me to accept because I have been exhausted and distracted everyday. Far from the top of my game. But if they seem to appreciate me when I'm not at my best, it makes me excited for what I can do for them when I am.
Also, I have a idea for a children's book. First notes/draft starts tomorrow!
p.s. My flowers are blooming!!
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