“All things work together for the good of those who love God."
~ Romans 8:28
As a rookie second grade teacher,
Clarice constantly found herself questioning her abilities and doubting her future
as an educator. Day after day, she searched
for inspiration to teach (and learn) while trying to capture the hearts of her young
students.
Years of college hardly prepare teachers for the emotional
challenges kids face today. Each morning’s
school bell sparks a confusing blend of chaos and surprises. For Clarice, the week before Valentine’s Day
was no exception.
For many children, February 14th first became
important in kindergarten. Kids make and
decorate individual boxes to hold anticipated valentines. There’s often a class party and great expectancy
as cards are distributed.
But it’s also an event fraught with potential for hurt
feelings; a popularity rubric where one’s “coolness” is measured by the stack
of paper hearts received. The fixation
on romantic stuff can cause young hearts to feel anxious, humiliated, or lonely.
Clarice decided to try something different – an event that
would kick start her passion for teaching and reboot her classroom confidence.
As usual, the children spent hours making brightly colored
valentines. Many were in the shape of traditional
hearts. Some had borders trimmed with
gold, silver, or white lace paper.
Others were more clever: Mints
- We’re mint to be; Kool Aid - You’re cool; Glue - Let’s stick together.
On Valentine’s Day, Clarice arranged a field trip to a local
nursing home where about 25 people gathered.
Silver-haired residents with and sad eyes and cracked lips, sat
motionless waiting for anything to do.
The students handed a valentine to every resident. Holding them tenderly, their eyes came to life
as memories of Valentine Days long ago awakened. Laughter filled the air like children excited
with new toys.
Some claimed their first valentine in decades. They shared their treasures with each other
and replayed endless stories of bygone love.
Chocolates, a medley of kid songs, and hugs-a-plenty added the
exclamation point to an almost perfect day.
Clarice closed her eyes and visualized that barren room. Now she pictured valentines pinned to a
curtain, propped up on a night stand or taped to a wall. Heartwarming valentines traded emptiness for
happiness; and loneliness for cheerfulness. God
had shown her the way to help her students claim one of life’s small victories.
It’s never too early to help children express love and
friendship in ways that transcend materialism. Because young children are concrete thinkers,
it's hard for them to understand a concept that can't be represented by
objects. By offering gifts of kindness,
time, respect, and compassion to random people, they’ll quickly learn that
"I love you" means so much more than three words inscribed on a candy
heart.
Lord of Life, above all the chaos and upset
in this world, You gave us the greatest gift the world has ever known. You loved us then, and love us now. Help me to love unselfishly and find great
joy in giving. Happy Valentine’s Day,
Amen
