Perspective

As I said in my last blog post, I am an ESL teacher at an inner city school in Tennessee.  This means I spend my day teaching kids who speak a language other than English the thrilling rules and exceptions to the English language-oh boy are there many.  I work with mostly Hispanic-Spanish speaking students, but I also have a mixture of other elasticities and languages-which makes my groups diverse and totally awesome.  I have Spanish speaking kids using Russian words and African students speaking Spanish...it truly is a community of learners-meshing different languages, cultures, customs, and traditions together. 

I know there are many people in this country who have a problem with immigrants, how they got here, why they don't speak English, etc, and I understand the frustration and attitudes that these people have, but to you I say, please come to my school.  Please come and see how wonderful these little kids are and how much they appreciate everything that is done for them.  Come and see how wonderfully involved their parents are with their school work and progress.  Come and see how respectful they are-and their parents-to their teachers and peers.  These are children, and they are wonderful.  No child should ever be the subject of a political debate, fight, or made to be an example.  Ever.  

With the holidays fast approaching, I have been given a heavy dose of perspective by my little ones and their families.  Many/most of these families don't have two pennies to rub together, but they would do anything in the world that I asked of them.  If I called them and said I need 28 pieces of cinnamon gum (just for you Amelia) in the next 10 minutes, they would find a way to get here with all pieces and never think twice.  They would do anything for me, and because of this, I try and do a lot for them.  I'm their advocate, their friend, but more importantly, I'm their family.  I make doctors appointments, go to birthday parties, and worry about them when it is 25 degrees outside and I know they don't have a winter coat-like it was this morning.  I love my little kiddos and their families more than anything-almost more than my husband...just kiddingish! <3

So this holiday season make sure to take time to be thankful for what you have, not upset about what you don't because you already have it much better than most.  Sure it would be nice to have a shiny new XBOX, a brand new purse, or a diamond ring, but there are so many more people who need, not want for the things we take for granted.  I've always known that poverty is all around us, but I guess I never looked for it, or just refused to see it.  Don't ignore it...open your eyes and heart!  Don't pass up the man outside of Kroger singing Christmas carols ringing the bell for the Salvation Army or a family/friend in need.

I'm such a softy full of cheesy ideals, hearts, and warm fuzzies.  Sheesh.