A Summer of Children

     In the spring of this year, the opportunity to work at a local daycare part time presented itself to me. Being a teacher of preschool age children I usually take the summer off and prepare for the coming school year. This opportunity seemed to come through a God moment. While loading some children into the daycare’s van I asked the driver who happened to be the director of the daycare, “Do you hire part time help in the summer?” She said,”Yes. I’ll bring you and application.” By the next week, I had been hired and would be working only mornings. So I have spent the last seven weeks getting to know some really special children.

     In the next several pharagraphs I would like to introduce you to them. They all have such different personalities and have each claimed a little different part of my heart because of those unique personalities. I feel I have received so much more than the few hours I worked for they blessed my life, sometimes in good ways and at other times not so good.

     The first child I met was a little boy named Jimmy. I told him I would remember his name because my son’s name is Jimmy. He reminds me alot of my Jimmy at that age. He is blonde headed and has blue eyes just like my son, but that is where the simularities end. Jimmy to say the least is very head strong which can land him into trouble. He has a spirit of curiousity that will take him far if he doesn’t lose it. He is always climbing,digging, or pulling things apart. It is sometimes hard to keep him safe. I hope I have the opprtunity to see how he turns out years down the road.

     Ashlynn is also blonde haired and blue eyed. She has been my morning greeter. I can count on a hug from her everyday. She likes to laugh. She constantly is telling me Knock Knock jokes. Most of them don’t make any sense but that doesn’t stop her from breaking into the sweetest sounding laughter. Sometimes it is hard to get her to play with the other children she seems the happiest when just sitting and talking to me.

     Bryceston is a special needs child. He requires alot of supervision because he doesn’t know how to interact with other children. He wants to play but  with a limited vocabulary doesn’t know how to join activities without hitting and grapping toys. He does love to swing so I try to see that there is a swing for him. He looks off into the sky with a funny sort of smile. I am usually drained after a morning with him but when I see little steps of improvement I am a satisified tire.

     Destiny is the cutest little black girl that is 100 percent tomboy. She climbs the monkeybars and drops to the ground with a laugh. She can catch almost any boy on the playground when playing tag. She is very good at getting what she  wants even if it lands her in trouble. I must admit she is a ball of energy that needs to be funnelled in productive ways. She can be a little mother at times when someone gets hurt. She likes to be in charge. I think she could make a good leader because she is a favorite that everyone wants for a friend.

     The last child i want you to meet is Mia. She just recently returned to the daycare. She is our little princess. Everyone caters to her. She has a sweet spirit and is kind to everyone. We did have some days of tears at first, she loves her daddy and doesn’t like him leaving her in the mornings. She finally has learned the routine and when sensing her longing for daddy to return will start reminding herself of what happens before she starts crying. I will hear her telling someone, we will eat lunch, take a nap, and watch a movie then my Daddy will be here to pick me up. It works because there have been fewer and fewer tears. She even got dirty for the first time today.

     This summer has flown by and this Friday is my last day. I will miss these few I have told you about and about fifteen more as well. Maybe I will see them again next summer. This has truely been a summer of children that I will remember for a long time.

P.S.  Well today I said goodbye to this group of children. I really will miss them. Think Destiny sensed I was leaving, she stuck close to me all day. As much of a handful as she has been I don’t think I will forget her any time soon.