Who's Your HERO?




I tip toed through the crush of students sitting on the stage and turned off the hot lights steaming the performing students. “Ahhhhh,” the Fourth graders relieved voices meshed with the departing audience. I waved my arms for them to stand up and flashes blinked incessantly before our eyes like Morse code.


As the parents stepped forward to take pictures of the “future American Heroes”, the Fourth graders, so named in honor of the program they just had performed, the applause slowly died down and the chatter and patter of students rising from their seats replaced the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. I blended into the rush of well-wishers. A few “thankyou’s” and “great job” floated by me as parents rushed to take a shot of their own personal hero.


The noise reverberated around me and I trembled with exhaustion from the emotional out-pouring of creating and directing the “perfect performance”. Soaked with exhilarated sweat, I began the methodical task of disengaging cables and cords, basically, of cleaning up the mess.


“Mrs. Hendrickson, Mrs. Hendrickson,” I heard a sweet small voice calling my name. I turned from coiling cables and disconnecting the sound system to see a Kindergartener waving to me. “You’re my hero! Mrs. Hendrickson” he called smiling. I dropped the black cable to the floor and ran over to him. “What did you say?” I asked unbelievingly. “Mrs. Hendrickson, you’re my hero!” I embraced his outstretched arms innocently tossing away the rule of “no contact”. I said, “me?” and the student next to him then repeated the phrase like it was the coolest thing a Kindergartener could say, then beamed at me, “Me too, You’re my hero too, Mrs. Hendrickson.”


The feeling that emanated throughout me is indefinable, floating between awe, joy and gratitude. That a young child of five years old could inspire and reward me so gallantly is amazing in its self. His sweet revelation that I had somehow earned the title of “hero”, check pointed my “I’m so glad it’s over” thoughts and caused me to consider again and remember why I teach school.


Can't wait for Monday!

CELEBRATION

For Christmas I received a gift from my sweet sister-in-law, Suzette and family.  It was a lovely quilted fabric banner using the word, "CELEBRATION".  I hoped to use it soon, but didn't realize how quickly it would be hanging in my front room. Our eldest son, Bryan, was accepted into the University of Arizona, ASU campus, School of Medicine in January. Ecstatic at this opportunity for him and grateful for prayers answered, the sign went up. I left it there for almost a full month and just barely took it down today... and now I'm waiting for another opportunity to Celebrate!

CHANGE

Change comes as a storm,

For forty days or more,
I embrace the raindrops
With an umbrella,
Wear boots in case of puddles.
Hold a hot yam in my pocket.
The spirit protects me.
Change comes as an earthquake,
Heartache and anger shake me.
I fight for the right
to choose.
Dark and depressed
Thoughts create coldness.
The spirit retreats.
Change comes as a spending spree,
Whoopee, credit card luxury,
I abandon all limits.
Without fear,
I exceed my means.
Red letters pile up.
The spirit departs.
Change comes as an inspiration,
I ponder my purpose,
On knees of humility.
Listen to Holy words
Spoken by God and Prophets.
Eternity opens my heart.
The spirit sustains.