I am trying something new this summer. Instead of returning to Sonlight, I have decided to stay in Denver, work and take classes. I am missing Sonlight like something fierce. It is on the edge of being painful!
I am a summer substitute for a group of learning centers here in Denver. These learning centers are non-profit and cater specifically to high risk children from low income families. My job is to hang out with preschoolers all day, reminding them to keep their hands to themselves and that everyone will get a turn on the swing. This summer is a strong contrast to my past summers: Sonlight is a wide open mountain meadow, where every meal is prepared to perfection and every camper has a bed to sleep in. Now, I work with kids who are only guaranteed one meal a day (lunch at the center), the windows have bars on it and the playground is fenced in.
It has been a challenge, to say the least. It breaks my heart to see the dire condition of these kids. I am exhausted, frustrated with the sad state of these families and contemplating numerous things in my own personal life. I try so hard not to get caught up in all the frustrations; so to counteract that, I try find small, simple things in this job and these kids that make me smile and make my soul smile.
Today I worked with two girls; Kyrah and Jasmine, on how to button and undo buttons. These girls are 3 and 4 years old.....this was their Everest! After taking at least 10 minutes to undo eight buttons, both girls kept saying, "I can't do it!" and "I give up."
And of course, quitting wasn't an option given by me. So again, it took a good fifteen minutes to button all eight buttons. Both girls quit at least three times and I made them keep going.
Once all the buttons were done, both girls eye's got huge....and they said, "Look what I did". Both having a massive smile painted across their little faces!
Something as simple as buttons just made them light up. Don't overlook the simple things in life. The simple challenges that we cross off our list and move onto the next. Revel in the accomplishment. Paint a smile across your face and say "Look what I did".
