Love

I am working hard on completing my assignments for silver level Whole Brain Teaching certification.
I've written essays.
I've reflected.
And now, we're filming.

And ya'll.
I hate being filmed.
Which is ironic as I spent an entire year on a reality TV Show.

Suffice it to say that year was more than enough.
Anyways.
Point being.
I hate being filmed.

So I asked my class to really help me out when it came to filming.
To show their stuff.
To be awesome.

Which means.
Of Course.
The first footage is of my number 18 almost flipping over the green table at group.

Lol.

But, then.
Oh my gosh.
Then.

It's fast.
It's collaboration.
It's seeing room for improvement and things that went well.

It's seeing some of the things I missed and being able to praise it.
There is so much beauty in the break down of the film.

I love my kids.
It took awhile, like three month, but I love them.
For who they are.
Who they will become.
And for everything they let me help them with.

They are broken.
They are bruised.
Traumatized.
New.
Old.
Young.
Babies.
Leaders.
Followers.
And everything in between.

But they are perfect.

For those of you who don't know me in real life, I am NOT a hugger.
Repeat NOT.

For a host of personal reasons and because LICE is rampant in our room.
And I hate to be the teacher who is like I'll hug you but you have lice so no.

So it's a universal thing that Ms. Witherell is not a hugger.
Well, today, at the end of testing for winter MAP.
And traveling to London.
And sewing stockings and making Chrismtas Cards.

I was beat.
Buh buh beat.

I was standing near the smart board waiting for dismissal to begin. 
Miss C and her little self stood on the far side of the carpet.
Miss C who jumped in map like 17 points and made benchmark.
Miss C who asked me twice if I was having a bad day, lol, I wasn't.

You sure?
I was having a great day, I said.

Miss C stood there, arms outstretched, "Ms. Witherell, do you think today I could get a hug."

And even though our lice friend was sent home today with more lice.
And even though I don't hug on princple.
She ran up and gave me a hug.
And I let her little body melt into mine.
And I whispered loudly, "I'm really proud to call you mine."
"You are?"  She responded.
"Best day ever."
"You sure?" She said again.
"Positive," I replied.

I love them.
I choose love every day.
Because everything else in their worlds hasn't been that way.
And sometimes, love is all I have to give.
And probably all they need.