~:[CH11 - Day 147]:~ Beyond Grateful

 
~:[CH11 - Day 147]:~ Beyond Grateful

I ended the night with some family and friends at a baseball game. Raisel Iglesias called out to me and tossed a ball over the fence to me. We are still perplexed on why it happened, but it was the cherry on top on a wonderfully Blessed day. I actually purchased these tickets for the bobblehead, but thought, I could just buy a few more tickets and bring my family and some friends. It ended up being the perfect way to celebrate. While I enjoyed the nightcap, my seniors made this one of the most touching days I've had in my career. Originally I had planned for two days of testing, not catching that it was only one for us. One of my senior groups pretended that they were going to present a few days early to fill the void, when in reality, they duped me. I was touched by all the messages the seniors gave. Ironically, as we wrap up testing, the messages reminded me that in the grand scheme of things, focusing on getting these students a higher score on these tests is not important, rather it's giving them experiences they can grow from and learn from. Instead of pushing these students to add more classes, spending more time in academies or doing things to tally to their resumes, they should be getting involved and experiencing life and connecting with others in things they can grow to enjoy and love. It is important that they learn, but more important that they leave our school as better people with memories they can cherish. I am not someone whose love language is words of affirmation as I prefer to sit back and enjoy the satisfaction of what's been created, however, I soaked in every message and it filled me with such joy and was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. The past few years have reminded us to better appreciate all that we have and it was evident today that the small things matter more than anything else. It motivated me to keep spending that extra time and effort doing them, as they are things these students will remember most. As I look at the first baseball I ever received at a baseball game, I smile. I will probably never really know the reason why I was chosen to get that ball, but it doesn't matter, as it was the small gesture that made it meaningful. Similarly, I hope that to my students I can toss something special to them, hoping that this small gesture will be something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. I am forever grateful to all those, past and present I've been able to teach, coach and work with and hope that together, we can share the small things that matter most in our lives. I am beyond grateful for every message, text and thought today and look forward to the memories we can share and create together as we move forward.