A Belated Birthday Present – of the best kind.
Posted by schoolspirit on 1 September, 2008
‘It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it’.
~ Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994.
Lunchtime had just finished today and we’d started our afternoon session. I’d sorted my kids out, packed them up and sent them on their way to Rotations. They’d visit two other rooms this afternoon for two different activities, and in return I’d have two different grades for music. We chanted rhythms and sang a few songs about Dads because it’s Father’s Day soon.
In rocks the kid I watch (and occasionally drive to and fro) at basketball with a plastic bag from the shop.
‘Okay, I’ll bite. What have you got there?’
‘This is for you, Mr V. Happy birthday!’
‘Um, mate… my birthday was a month ago now…’
‘Yeah, but I didn’t get a chance to get you something. So here it is.’
So in front of someone else’s grade I opened my belated birthday present (or, more accurately, pulled them out of the plastic bag. An Essendon Football Club key ring and an Essendon Football Club number plate surround for my car. He scampered back off to his own class again shortly afterwards.
It’s been two years since I taught him in grade four. It’s going to be bittersweet to see him graduate at the end of the year. With a bit of luck though he’ll still get me a basketball timetable for next year.
But first, I’ll have to watch his next game tomorrow night, eh?
