As Finals Week approaches, I just thought I would take this moment to pass on some inspiration.
Right now, my community theatre is doing a youth production of the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and about 90% of the cast are kids I've worked with whether through camps or other shows. The show opened last week, and before opening night even got here, the show had sold out for all 8 performances. I didn't think I was going to get to see it, and some of the kids were really bummed that I wouldn't be able to see it either.
I came home tonight on a whim; I hadn't planned on coming home this weekend. My mom was working the box office for the show, so I went with her figuring I could at least say hi to the kids even if I didn't get to watch the show.
When we walked around to the front of the theatre, one of the girls was getting ready to get out of the car, and she saw me. Her face immediately lit up, and she practically barreled out of the car and ran over to me to give me a hug because she was so excited that I was there.
I ended up getting to watch the show (because they told me that if I took tickets and passed out programs I could add a chair), and after the show, I walked down on to the stage to greet the cast, and the kids massed around me, lining up to give me a hug even though there were lots of other people there to see them. I had to fight back the tears.
Sometimes, I think it's really easy for us to lose sight of why we've chosen this path. In all of the papers and service work and academic articles, we become jaded and discouraged, knowing there's a reason we want to do this but not truly feeling it in our heart. We have such a great power to make a difference and to affect the lives of so many children and teenagers. We may not always realize it, but we are changing this world with every kid we teach.
"We have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved." - Mother Teresa
Right now, my community theatre is doing a youth production of the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and about 90% of the cast are kids I've worked with whether through camps or other shows. The show opened last week, and before opening night even got here, the show had sold out for all 8 performances. I didn't think I was going to get to see it, and some of the kids were really bummed that I wouldn't be able to see it either.
I came home tonight on a whim; I hadn't planned on coming home this weekend. My mom was working the box office for the show, so I went with her figuring I could at least say hi to the kids even if I didn't get to watch the show.
When we walked around to the front of the theatre, one of the girls was getting ready to get out of the car, and she saw me. Her face immediately lit up, and she practically barreled out of the car and ran over to me to give me a hug because she was so excited that I was there.
I ended up getting to watch the show (because they told me that if I took tickets and passed out programs I could add a chair), and after the show, I walked down on to the stage to greet the cast, and the kids massed around me, lining up to give me a hug even though there were lots of other people there to see them. I had to fight back the tears.
Sometimes, I think it's really easy for us to lose sight of why we've chosen this path. In all of the papers and service work and academic articles, we become jaded and discouraged, knowing there's a reason we want to do this but not truly feeling it in our heart. We have such a great power to make a difference and to affect the lives of so many children and teenagers. We may not always realize it, but we are changing this world with every kid we teach.
"We have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved." - Mother Teresa
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