Sylvia day

I declared a "Sylvia day" last week as one of my favorite students from all time had to leave us and go to another school.  You aren't supposed to have favorites...but children like this one don't come along very often.  There's not a person I've ever met who doesn't like her; and I don't believe there's a person in our brand new school who doesn't know who she is.  She's that kind of girl - spitfire joyous, loving to all, kind in ways you could never imagine.  The irony of it all is this is a young girl who has had a very challenging life, many times not being loved in the way any child so deserves to be loved.  She has suffered more in her five years of life than many of us have in our lifetimes.  And she is still joyous and loving...

How can you go through all that and not be bitter?  How can you still be so joyous?  How can you live a life so forgiving?  You are truly an example of grace.

Sylvia is also the perfect example of "dynamite comes in small packages."  She explodes a room!

So, we had a Sylvia day.  I gave her a crown.. and we sang Sylvia songs and we danced Sylvia dances, and together we made her a treasure box to put all her kindergarten things...and we had special treats and made up a special "we will miss you" song sung to the tune of Happy Birthday so she will remember us and we will remember her when others have a birthday.   She soaked it all in, and she didn't look back...It wasn't because she wasn't going to miss us or that we weren't important to her life.  She was ready for her new adventure, a life with her sisters, and she was sooooooooo excited!  A reminder to me to live in the moment and enjoy the people you have now....

The best part is that we don't have to wait once a year to have a Sylvia day.  In honor of her, we can celebrate Sylvia day anytime we're needin' a little ray of sunshine joy or we're counting our blessings.  What would Sylvia do?  She'd keep on livin' that's what she'd do!!! 

She taught the teacher so very much.....................

Comments

[Rose]

There's always somehting that makes us stop and think about our own lives, by analysing someone else's.

I trhink it's fantastic you've incorporated this into your class- so they will also learn the joys of being joyous and perhaps learn from this child. =]

~Rose

[Clare]

Hi Marie! I really enjoyed reading about Sylvia -- she sounds like such a special person and I'm glad I got to "meet" her on your blog!
p.s. Marie, I tagged you to do a 10x10 meme, if you want to do it. See my 4/14/08 post for details. I did 4-line stanzas, but they can be
1-line or any number -- your choice!
:)

[Jane]

That is such an awesome thing to do! It only took me 43 years to find that spitfire joy and spirit of forgiveness. What a wonderful thing to be able to show it at such a young age. I would love to see how she grows up.

[Valaine]

She reminds me of my daughter because of her dark hair and eyes :) What a wonderful gift you gave to her that day! You have a kind heart.