Jan
28
2020
The Command I Have Never Forgotten
Posted in Daily Living 4 Comments
My daughter was a second grade teacher.
She loved her students.
They loved her right back.
She resigned after ten years of teaching when her daughter was born.
Ten years of students means a lot of memories.
Ten years of students means a lot of stories.
There was no favoritism from one student to another.
She respected her students and they respected her right back.
I would sometimes go in to help in the classroom when she asked me.
I loved to read books to the children.
I loved to help them with their writing in various centers around the room.
I loved seeing the excitement they had about learning.
I remember the year my daughter had a very special little boy in her class.
The world would define him as having an extra chromosome.
He was so much more than any definition.
He was bright, and loving, and excited about everything.
He loved Toy Story, which endeared him to me since one of my sons loved it as well.
He had an aide in the classroom who loved him and worked so well with him.
He made such great progress that year.
He was well liked among the other children.
I remember the day I came into the classroom to read.
He looked intently at me the entire time.
I smiled.
He smiled back.
When the children were getting ready for lunch and recess, I was standing next to my daughter.
He came over to us.
She bent down to look him right in the eye.
Do you know that this is my Mommy? She asked him.
He looked at her face.
He looked at mine.
He smiled the widest smile I had ever seen.
Hug! Hug! he said motioning with his arms for us to come together.
We hugged right there in front of the room.
We hugged right there in front of him and the other children.
There were giggles, but they really liked seeing us hug.
The precious little boy, who loved Toy Story, loved it.
He joined in our hug.
He just walked right over and joined in.
He was so proud of himself, since he was the one who told us to hug.
He was the one who started it all.
The following year, this special little boy died.
My daughter’s heart was broken.
My heart was broken.
The children didn’t understand and were grieving in their own way.
God allowed the little boy’s brother to be in my daughter’s second grade class that year.
God knew what this hurting little boy needed in a teacher.
God provided a teacher who loves the Lord with all her heart.
God provided a teacher who loves her students simply because they are made in God’s image.
It was a good year.
The little boy’s brother was exactly where he needed to be.
He was in the loving environment of her classroom.
He could come to her at any time to talk if need be.
He thrived that year.
God knew.
Everyone hurt; everyone remembered.
God knew that, too.
I have become friends with the mother of this little boy.
She has three other sons.
She loves them well.
She loves all four of her sons well.
The memory of that day in the classroom is dear to my heart.
I can still see him standing there.
I can still see him telling us to, Hug!
I can still see his smile.
He did what we all should do.
He loved unashamedly.
He knew what was important.
What was important to him were the simple things that we all take for granted.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)
I have never forgotten this special boy’s command.
Hug!
The joy on his face and in his countenance was palpable.
Hugging is what you do, simple as that.
Oh to be more like this special little boy.
It has been over six years since that day.
The memory is still as fresh as if it was yesterday.
It is not only the memory but the challenge he gave me.
Hug!
Don’t waste a moment!
If you love each other, show it!
Who needs your hug today?
Wonderful story!
Sue,
He was a wonderful little boy!
I was so blessed to know him.
Gina
Okay, I too love hugs.
How about The 11th Commandment is “Hug one another.”
Oh, Janna, I love hugs, too!
“Hug one another” sounds wonderful to me!
Gina