I love Michael Jordan. Really, I do. He's a pain in the butt some times, but that kid has me wrapped around his finger. I don't know if it's the fact that he doesn't have a man figure to model, or that his mom works constantly to provide for him, or that he shows me he's weak. I don't know. Let me tell you about Friday.
Michael's teacher was absent so he was sent to another teacher's room. The other teacher and I are friends. She sent me a message at 8:15, approximately 30 minutes into the school day to ask when he could come to my room. I responded with, "Anytime he wants." So, he showed up 15 minutes later, and stayed with me til 10:00, when he had to leave for PE. He begged me to let him stay, but I sent him. At 1:00, he was sent back to me. Michael stayed with me until the bell rang. In the hour and half that he was with me, he ran some errands, ate chocolate, tried to take a nap, and sat in my lap. (He had finished all his work for the day, I promise) This kid has me. I could take him home with me. I really could. He frustrates me to no end some days, and then days like Friday remind me why I love my job. Where else could I talk to kids about what they wanna be when they grow up and when they leave to go home, tell me they love me?
Whether he knows it or not, he's changed my life. I will never look at my job in the same way. I entered this year thinking if I could change one kid's life, I would be great. I had no idea what this year would do to me. This year has opened my eyes to many new experiences. Never in my life would I think I love the boy who cussed me out multiple times a day...
I hope that your job, whatever it may be, brings you joy. Not just any kind of joy, but the joy that makes you want to work harder and better...
