I also got various random kids stepping up to me to shyly say hello. I had to wonder at the combination of shyness and speaking unprompted to a stranger they didn't have to speak to. I was chuckling on the inside and all grown up on the outside. The whole thing was such a delightful interlude.
This had been Nu's school ten years ago, so there were flashbacks to my serious kindergartner and of bringing puppy Scout to school and being told he had big feet so he'd be a big boy, etc. And then I saw Nu's first grade teacher, Ms. G. I remembered how Nu told me and Big A not to smoke (we don't) because Ms. G's parents had died from smoking. Ms. G thought it was hilarious--not her parents' deaths, but what her students' parents remember ten years on. And THEN, I saw one of MY students from five years ago, whom I had mentioned in class just this morning (for the random reason of them having been a picky eater on our London trip). That was truly bonkers.
Today brought many smiles. And Big A will be back home tonight too... (Just seven more trips to Milwaukee before his job moves back to Michigan. YAY!!)
Pic: Wandering with Huck in the backyard... there's grass growing inside this tree hollow!
7 comments:
Oh Maya, I didn't know you had been a social worker! What a lovely way to revisit the past, with hugs and fun stories.
I always think it's a sign from the universe when I think about a person, or mention them, and then SEE them. It's such an interesting connection, I think.
I am so happy for you that Big A will be back soon, the countdown is ON!
The countdown IS on, Nicole! Seven seems so much more manageable than two whole months!
I'm must say I'm not a social worker--I volunteer as a child advocate/Guardian ad Litem through the CASA-GAL Program. https://nationalcasagal.org/
I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to go back to the kids' elementary schools. It's so strange how you go to a place all the time and then suddenly you never go back again. (Even stranger for North's middle school because covid cut their 8th grade year short and we didn't know the last time was the last time.)
I was running in a park along the river this morning and a small child (4ish? maybe 5?) stopped me to ask me if I'd seen any carp in the river. I had not because I was actually not really looking at the water. "Keep trying!" he told me, after I told him that I hadn't seen ANY fish. Ha. Kids. So funny.
StephLove--that not knowing the last time is the last time things is tough. Do you think North would like to take a nostalgia trip to middle school? Going back to the kids' elementary schools is not for the faint of heart.
NGS--stopped you to ask you about fish you weren't looking for :D. So cute, right? I wonder if they're relaying along something someone told them...
Funny kids.
Oh such a sweet school trip-- love it. Elementary kids are so weird and cute.
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