For a moment like this...

It's in the evening, it's pouring down rain, and cheerleaders are huddled amidst the sprinkles waiting for parents to arrive. I see him coming towards me, with that same big smile I remember him having when he was only 12 and a scared 7th grader walking in and out of my door every day. He approaches me, arms open wide and gives me a big hug. "You remember me don't you?" He asks. "Remember you!?" I say with a laugh, "How could I NOT? I remember every single one of my babies!" "Well...", he says, "I didn't know if you would remember me or not, since I am in high school now, some teachers do that. They forget who you are, and when you see them in public or at the store or something they act like they have no idea who you are. I was scared you wouldn't remember me, and if that happened, I would be real sad. You were my favorite teacher here, and we were real tight. You were always there for me not just for help when I didn't understand things, but you cared for me too as a person... I never got the chance to thank you for that." (Can you already see the tears? YES!) I. was. speechless. This is why I do what I do folks. For moments like this. Glimmers of time when I see students have successes in their futures. For them to come back, and remember what I taught them... to let me know that I really did make a difference in their lives... and they say teachers don't make a lot. Really? Is your job as rewarding as mine? I bet it isn't. I make kiddos believe in themselves for the first time, when people (maybe even their OWN parents) tell them they are worthless... I capture a child's heart and mind and help them discover just how smart they really are. I give them the tools to be successful, productive people in society. I help them to understand the value of hard work. What do you do? Work behind a desk, chomping numbers while drinking your Starbucks making 6 figures a year? That's great and all... But in the end, I am the richer person.

Loving life, loving my job.

Thank you God for calling me to be a teacher. Continue to work through me to bless the lives of all the babies I touch each day. Help me to help them realize the value they truly have here on Earth. Keep it comin'... I am truly blessed!

Bring on Tuesday folks! I'm ready!