05.26.10
It’s the Little Things
This year working at my service site, St. Margaret of Scotland, has been a big adjustment for me. I work in the Pre-K classroom as a teacher’s aide. One of the first challenges I was faced with was being the minority in a student body of African American children. I also had to learn how to work alongside the head teacher, Ms. Gunn, and figure out how to get the children’s respect and at the same time be able to effectively discipline them. However, along with all the different types of challenges I face daily I would like to focus on what has been my greatest joy at my service site.
Reflecting on this topic there were so many little things that have brought me joy throughout this year but it wasn’t until today, that it was made clear to me what has brought me the most joy.
I would like to focus on one little girl, in particular, who I have watched all year struggle with her speech. Having been a speech pathology major in my first couple years in college I was well aware that her speech was delayed. All year I have wondered why her parents and teachers weren’t giving her the help that she clearly needed. I have watched her struggle and get violently angry when she wasn’t able to get her message across. I, too, found myself getting frustrated with her when she wouldn’t allow me to help her with difficult tasks. It wasn’t until this past week that I noticed in the mornings that she would begin to talk to me more than just answering yes or no questions. She was telling me the color of her shirt and showing me her new shoes. But as the day would go on her conversations with me would slowly fade and the progress we made in the morning would soon be lost and her speech would no longer be as coherent.
It wasn’t until today, as I write my blog, that I have come to realize how much joy this situation has brought me. This Monday morning was expected to be no different, but even before the day officially started it was. Ms. Gunn was changing up the chore chart and telling the children what their new jobs would be for the week. As she was saying this I was helping this little girl to put her things where they belonged when she heard Ms. Gunn say aloud that it was her job to clean the tables. Now most kids aren’t too thrilled to have this job but she was ecstatic! When she heard this she looked up at me with the biggest smile and said, “My job’s to clean the tables” crystal clear and must have repeated it to me 5 more times. Then as the day went on she became my little buddy, always at my side, telling me about her weekend at the park with her dad, riding her pink bike, and going on the swings. I don’t think her smile ever left her face. Then her big moment came when center time was over and it was time to clean the tables. She couldn’t be more excited. It was so satisfying to see her enthusiasm to do her classroom job. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring but seeing the joy in her helped me to be more appreciative of the little accomplishments in life.
It has been the little things this year that have brought me the most joy at my job. It could range from watching a child face their fears and slide down the pole on the playground, to being able to open their own milk and learning how to spell and write their own name. Everyday there is always a struggle with trying to get the kids to listen and get their work done but it is the little accomplishments that make it all worthwhile. It’s just important to keep yourself mindful of them and not get so caught up on the negative. This year has really helped me to become more mindful to all the good that is present and to not focus on the bad. I have learned to live in the present moment since we have no guarantee of tomorrow and to appreciate the little joys in life that God gives to us.
Lisa Mehalick
Chicago, IL