She came in last night with her family. Sarah Rebecca. And this is how it started:
I asked her family if they wanted something to drink to
start then I went over to her and said, “and for you, little lady?” because my
dad used to call me that and I guess sometimes the awesome that is your
childhood comes out. She looked up
at me and smiled. BIG. A BIG BADA BOOM smile while staring,
then said “lemonade, please, but a small one, because I’m small.” When I brought her the lemonade (with
cherries in it) she got really excited…I told her they were my cherries but we
could share if she wanted to, so she took one out and handed it to me. I told her she should give that one to
her dad and eat the other one…and she did. (heart)
I went over to take their order, and now here is a side story:
When I was little my parents used to go out to dinner once a
week at a restaurant called Henry’s in Washington State (Poulsbo). They would sit in a booth by the window
and I would sit at the small booth across from them. I’m pretty sure this was my idea, since I was 7 and even at
that age “I did what I want!!” So,
I would order my own food from the server, who learned very quickly that no, my
parents did not order for me, and ate it…or looked over and traded with my dad
(who ALWAYS ordered something that I would like better). When the check came (it was on a
separate tab), I would get up and hand it to my dad who would then give me the
money to pay for my dinner, because, HEY!
I was 7!!! My allowance
didn’t consist of dollar bills!
This was my upbringing.
Humans talked to me like an adult and I responded by becoming
independent. I also learned
subconsciously that one should always talk to small humans as if they are full
size humans.
When I asked Sarah what she wanted for dinner she said
“macaroni and cheese, please.” then poked me in the arm and said, “excuse
me.” I leaned in so I was closer
to her and said, “what do you need, honey?” She stared at me again and started smiling this huge smile
again, which in turn made me smile, which made her smile more, which made me
laugh, which made her laugh, which made me say, “whassa happening???!!!” She touched my arm and asked if she
could look at my drawing. I showed
it to her and she told me she liked birds too, and then pointed at my other arm
and said, “you have a lot of drawings on you! I like it!!”
REALLY???!! For real, small
person??!! WHO ARE YOU??? Gimmie!!!
Of course, all through dinner she would randomly turn around
and wave and/or smile and/or giggle at me. When I walked over to see if everything was ok with their
food Sarah asked me to come over to her for a moment, so I crouched down beside
her. She then asked me my name and
we were introduced after she told me hers and said it was nice to meet
me…!!! Seriously. I asked her how old she was, and she told
me she was “only 4.” I informed
her that it was ok to be 4, because I was only 5. She laughed and then…nodded her head…and started staring and
smiling again.
This is the part.
The shift in my life. The
moment that I will never forget, because Sarah Rebecca changed me forever…
Her and her family got up to leave, and I walked over while
they were getting their coats on to thank them and say goodbye. They thanked me profusely, and while
they were doing so I noticed Sarah holding her mom’s hand and (again) staring
and smiling at me, so I looked at her and said, “thank you, Sarah! I hope you have an amazing
evening!!!” She let go of her
mom’s hand and started walking towards me…so I crouched down again, because I’m
pretty tall when yer a kid!! And
then time slowed down, because as she was walking towards me, she held out her
arms.
Yes.
She came in for a hug.
Truly.
Just like that.
As if we had known each other forever. And as she hugged me she said……….”I
love you.”
Oh, great. Now
I can’t see what I’m typing ‘cause it’s all blurry!!! Crap! Ma’ eyes
are sweating!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!
I love you too, Sarah Rebecca. Thank you for coming into my life at just the right moment
and showing me that yes, I do need to go back to school and yes, I do need to
teach pre-school. Because if one
child can see me for who I am and take this energy and love from me, then I
should be able to share that with all of them.
Dear world,
Imma be a teacher!!!!!!!!!!!
