Tiny little hearts...

I remember walking down the aisle with a familiar anticipation.. the one I was used to before going on stage. What exactly was waiting for me at the other end of this aisle, behind that door named "Learning Bay 2B"? What kind of children would I be teaching? Would they like me? Would they be able to pronounce my name well...and I theirs ?  Would I be able to memorize their names fast enough? Would I be able to teach Grade 2? Would I be able to teach MATH???....phew my mind raced and so did my heart beats..

And then I entered & my life was touched like it never was... touched by 30 Tiny little hearts...

All my questions were answered...

I got the naughtiest but the MOST loving class in Year 2. They pronounced my name quite well, all in their own cute little styles, and I theirs. They liked..?..naaahh... they lovvvved me, with all their hearts. To my surprise, the otherwise "weak-in -remembering-names-me" memorized all their names in a matter of TWO days!! Yes, I began teaching Grade 2 to the best I could. Above all, yayyyyy, I taught Math and they understooood!!!

The first week was relaxing and sweet with not much to do. I got hugs and "i love you teacher"- both verbally and written on a daily basis.  And when real work started things from an adult point of view got worsened. But these kids always brought sunshine...or not..!! ;)

I confess that after a weekend during some Saturday nights I had nightmares about these kids harassing me innocently, about being harassed by certain others and blah blah.Sometimes they came true. Some days I went home crying. To top it all on one day I broke out in class!!!!!!!!!! Was it really worth all this?

I lost my carefree life. I lost my voice for months.I was no longer able to sing my favourite song at home. I too became the typical cribbing teacher. There were days when I wondered if making files, lists, excel sheets, marking levels and presenting evidences were more important than teaching. When I signed in for teaching, this overloaded clerical work was not what I expected. Where were all those scenes from "To Sir with love" or "Freedom writers"...or any teaching centered book/movie?

I remember envying our school receptionist one day. When I came down to her after a whole day of shouting out in class with my broken voice..the sight of her speaking ever so softly and lady like over the phone..! Ah! it broke my heart! Uhmm I confess contemplating for a few days how to apply for the post of a receptionist!

Slowly the term moved towards its end. It was time for Sports Day. On one side we didn't get to teach much but on the other, we had to be with the children for the whole day for practice. It was tiring but better than shouting in class.

Classes were replaced by revision worksheets and finally by assessment sheets. Was I happy that the term was over? Was it worth all the trouble and tears... all the stress ??

Whenever these questions pass my mind I close my eyes and choose to think of only those moments which makes me feel good...

When Farah gives me hug after hug and says I love you...

When Yousuf says Teacher I love you even after a round of shouting...

When Tarun brings me tiny little cards..

When Habiba sincerely moves forward to hug the teary eyed me with a smile and the whole class follows her...

When Sean plucks a flower and runs and gives it to me...

When Joshua's mother says he talks a lot about me at home...

When Zaina's mother says she is more close to me than to her..

When Amna brings me gifts from her tour to Sri Lanka..

When Shawk brings me a big box of Ferrero-Rocher...

When so many tiny little hands grab me in a hug, all across the basketball court, in front of the whole of Year 2 and the heads, just because they saw me winning a race...

While watching a movie in class, when I am surrounded all over by my kids, some on my lap, some on my shoulders, some on my back...

All I can say is may be it was more than worth it.. :)
After all where does a receptionist get so much love? :P

I don't know if they would really miss me...I don't know if even one of them will remember me when they grow up.

But, I would ALWAYS ALWAYS miss playing SIT-STAND-SIT-SIT with them. I would miss those smiles, those hugs, those 100,000 complaints a day...everything. I would miss them and their innocence.

You'll always be in my memories and more importantly in my prayers, sweethearts.

I LOVE YOU!!

Thank You God for these tiny little sweethearts...for so much love and good memories :)