Reflective Teaching Day 5...what a serious reminder of the importance of my calling!

Today, in the list of reflective teaching I am supposed to talk about my classroom...but my day started off in a horrible way.  Shortly after my arrival at school, I found out that one of our sweet first graders unexpectedly went home to be with The Lord Thursday night.  The shock hit home in numerous ways.  He was a younger sibling to two of my previous students, friend of my son's since daycare, and a precious student in a dear friend's classroom.  I witnessed heart ache not from family, who I am sure were at home dealing with their own grief, but from a different kind of family.  The teachers, who love the children in their classroom suddenly faced the realization that life is so very short!  We immediately reflected on our students, the ones that are so easy to love, and others who may try our patience daily.  "What if!" was all I could think of.  

I had to return to my classroom and make an announcement that they NEVER prepare you to make in any college education classes.  I had to face my 24 fourth graders and tell them a friend wasn't going to be joining us at school anymore, a chair would be empty for the rest of the year.  My heart broke and the tears flowed as I sat with my class to share the news.  In my "weakness", I reminded myself that it is good for my students to see my pain.

The silence in the room was almost amazing...not sure we've EVER been that silent!  Suddenly, the questions came..."Was he in pain?", "What happened?", "I have had heart problems since I was born...can this happen to me?"...the ultimate answer in the back of my mind was one I couldn't share, but longed to let my kids know!  Our little friend was with his Daddy in Heaven!  In my sorrow, a large part of me rejoiced in this fact!  My beliefs could not be shared in my classroom...but what a calming effect they had on me for the remainder of the day!  

At lunch, an overwhelming amount of parents arrived to eat with their child...maybe they had planned to do so, or they were moved to make the extra trip from the notification of our loss, but the support they offered not only their children but the staff at our school was amazing.  Parents offered to step into classrooms to watch as students worked to give teachers a little break to go to the lounge or restroom to shed a tear in private.  Offers of coffee or snacks were also very present for the staff.  

I made sure that every child in my classroom was dismissed with a hug, or high five and a wish for a great weekend as they left, and I hugged my own two children that much harder and more frequently Friday night.  Life is ultimately too short!  

What positive effect did I have on all the people I came in contact with today?