Children are a gift! I just retired from 30 years of working with children and their families. What gift and privilege! I am now enjoying the blessing of my first granddaughter. She is nine months old, I get to spend time with her three days a week. What a gift she is to my soul. Her pure innocence is a miracle. I have always felt that children, all children are a gift. I thank my lucky stars that for the last 30 years I got to be with them. I am so grateful to have my little one in my life, her mamas are the very best, I adore all of them! They make me a better human!
When kids are around, it is always a pleasure to be with. Some are expressive and are happy with a lot of creative playful “no sense” games, which I often find very inspiring; some are bashful and silently sitting on the lap of their moms, others immediately take the toys, especially the various hand puppets offered, playing role plays with the turtle, donkey or crocodile, which are the most favorite ones; just to feel their innocent joy while having the opportunity to be with them, these are many happy and grateful moments.
I have a grandson who is 11 and a nephew who is 8 (who was adopted at age 3 from S. Korea) that both do not live close by but I adore.
I am overly amazed at how skillful they both are at technology. When I am with them they give me a lot of joy. I love
interacting with both of them. They are both happy go lucky at these ages. I am grateful for having them both in my family.
I wonder sometimes where the child in me went. Perhaps nowhere. Maybe that childlike nature just got coated in dross and trivia and is patiently waiting to come back out to play. I am grateful for the simplicity and the accepting nature of childhood.
I think their presence of “now” is what can inspire to be more grateful. Everything is about the here and now for them. This is something that if I could tune more into, it would inspire even more gratefulness.
For the last 3.25 years, I worked with middle school students. For the most part, they are only thinking about how to get through the day and to the weekend; although, some of them also try to carry the weight of the world, worrying about their grades and how if their grade in XYZ is not good, then they won’t get into the high school they want, and then they won’t get into the college they want….Honest-to-God, this was a conversation I had with a 12 y.o. who had been advanced two grade levels in math and was so perfectionistic that she really couldn’t enjoy the journey. As she was saying this she was crying over the fact that she had a “B” in my Algebra class. In that moment, I was more like a child trying to remind her that she was already advanced and that she didn’t need to worry about these things.
Thank you amy for your hard work with middle school students. Such a hard age! It breaks my heart to see the pressure the kids are under. No time to be a kid, overscheduled lives, social media, etc. I am so glad you are on their path. They need adults like you that can help them center and breathe. Blessings to you and your students.
The spontaneity, curiosity and joy of children can lift my heart on any otherwise “ordinary” day. I don’t actually see that many children, as I live in a condo for primarily adults. But when I visit the nearby beach, I get to see their fun and hear their shouts of “look at me!” to nearby parents/family. It always brings a smile and in some ways reminds me of my own childhood adventures. Grateful!
The pure joy when children are joyful and the pure frustration when they are frustrated. The joy seems to really come out when children figure out what is the cause of their frustration. A number of years ago my wife’s family gathered for a meal at the small parish hall in Manassas, Colorado after the funeral mass and burial of her grandfather. I went outside to enjoy some fresh air and respite from the reverberating noise in that little hall. A minute of two later Cheryl’s Uncle Ernin came out to have a smoke. I mentioned to him that it sure was noisy and loud in the hall with all the children raising Cain. Ernin look at me and said “That is not noise. It is the sound of Life.” I have not forgotten that statement and hope I never do.
Just yesterday, my adult son and I were chatting about his teenage years which I had found extremely challenging! He said, “Mama, when I was a kid I had a roof over my head, I never went hungry and I had two parents who loved me.” Children are innocent, vulnerable and willing to trust. How could one not be inspired and grateful?
I have been a middle school teacher for 30 years and I’m not sure if you all think teenagers are kids.
Teenagers have always inspired me! I love how they are full of energy and are for the most part open to new experiences! They inspire me to be the best I can be for them. They inspire me to show up to school everyday and share in their success and struggles. They make me smile and laugh. I miss working with them and I am grateful for having the privilege of working with them!
I have had the joy and privilege of working with children for over forty years, as a youth advocate, and as a minister. My motto for all those years was this:
“Children don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
That phrase was on the wall of my office and lives on my heart to this day.
Children inspire me to be more grateful by showing me the pure joy in the simple things of life, such as a small hug, giggly laughter or splashing in a mud puddle.
I love that kids are always in the now. Just living each moment, one at a time. They’re so curious and funny. My favorite is when they start dancing, not caring if anyone is watching. This has happened so many times at work, and I am always so happy when I see it! I’m grateful for kids because they remind me to stay in the now, speak my truth, and have fun!
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Children are a gift! I just retired from 30 years of working with children and their families. What gift and privilege! I am now enjoying the blessing of my first granddaughter. She is nine months old, I get to spend time with her three days a week. What a gift she is to my soul. Her pure innocence is a miracle. I have always felt that children, all children are a gift. I thank my lucky stars that for the last 30 years I got to be with them. I am so grateful to have my little one in my life, her mamas are the very best, I adore all of them! They make me a better human!
When kids are around, it is always a pleasure to be with. Some are expressive and are happy with a lot of creative playful “no sense” games, which I often find very inspiring; some are bashful and silently sitting on the lap of their moms, others immediately take the toys, especially the various hand puppets offered, playing role plays with the turtle, donkey or crocodile, which are the most favorite ones; just to feel their innocent joy while having the opportunity to be with them, these are many happy and grateful moments.
I have a grandson who is 11 and a nephew who is 8 (who was adopted at age 3 from S. Korea) that both do not live close by but I adore.
I am overly amazed at how skillful they both are at technology. When I am with them they give me a lot of joy. I love
interacting with both of them. They are both happy go lucky at these ages. I am grateful for having them both in my family.
I wonder sometimes where the child in me went. Perhaps nowhere. Maybe that childlike nature just got coated in dross and trivia and is patiently waiting to come back out to play. I am grateful for the simplicity and the accepting nature of childhood.
I think their presence of “now” is what can inspire to be more grateful. Everything is about the here and now for them. This is something that if I could tune more into, it would inspire even more gratefulness.
For the last 3.25 years, I worked with middle school students. For the most part, they are only thinking about how to get through the day and to the weekend; although, some of them also try to carry the weight of the world, worrying about their grades and how if their grade in XYZ is not good, then they won’t get into the high school they want, and then they won’t get into the college they want….Honest-to-God, this was a conversation I had with a 12 y.o. who had been advanced two grade levels in math and was so perfectionistic that she really couldn’t enjoy the journey. As she was saying this she was crying over the fact that she had a “B” in my Algebra class. In that moment, I was more like a child trying to remind her that she was already advanced and that she didn’t need to worry about these things.
Thank you amy for your hard work with middle school students. Such a hard age! It breaks my heart to see the pressure the kids are under. No time to be a kid, overscheduled lives, social media, etc. I am so glad you are on their path. They need adults like you that can help them center and breathe. Blessings to you and your students.
The spontaneity, curiosity and joy of children can lift my heart on any otherwise “ordinary” day. I don’t actually see that many children, as I live in a condo for primarily adults. But when I visit the nearby beach, I get to see their fun and hear their shouts of “look at me!” to nearby parents/family. It always brings a smile and in some ways reminds me of my own childhood adventures. Grateful!
Children are so innocent so I think it’s their innocence and pure joy and even their energy (depending on age, lol) that is so inspiring.
My interaction with children is very limited. But their energy and their curiosity make me hopeful and thankful.
The pure joy when children are joyful and the pure frustration when they are frustrated. The joy seems to really come out when children figure out what is the cause of their frustration. A number of years ago my wife’s family gathered for a meal at the small parish hall in Manassas, Colorado after the funeral mass and burial of her grandfather. I went outside to enjoy some fresh air and respite from the reverberating noise in that little hall. A minute of two later Cheryl’s Uncle Ernin came out to have a smoke. I mentioned to him that it sure was noisy and loud in the hall with all the children raising Cain. Ernin look at me and said “That is not noise. It is the sound of Life.” I have not forgotten that statement and hope I never do.
What a wonderful line! Definitely one to keep.
Just yesterday, my adult son and I were chatting about his teenage years which I had found extremely challenging! He said, “Mama, when I was a kid I had a roof over my head, I never went hungry and I had two parents who loved me.” Children are innocent, vulnerable and willing to trust. How could one not be inspired and grateful?
I have been a middle school teacher for 30 years and I’m not sure if you all think teenagers are kids.
Teenagers have always inspired me! I love how they are full of energy and are for the most part open to new experiences! They inspire me to be the best I can be for them. They inspire me to show up to school everyday and share in their success and struggles. They make me smile and laugh. I miss working with them and I am grateful for having the privilege of working with them!
Thank you for caring and loving your students, all of you teachers are my heroes, I am married to one. You make a difference!
I have had the joy and privilege of working with children for over forty years, as a youth advocate, and as a minister. My motto for all those years was this:
“Children don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
That phrase was on the wall of my office and lives on my heart to this day.
Beautiful!!! Thank you for inspiring them and for inspiring me!
Thank you, Ana!
Children inspire me to be more grateful by showing me the pure joy in the simple things of life, such as a small hug, giggly laughter or splashing in a mud puddle.
I love that kids are always in the now. Just living each moment, one at a time. They’re so curious and funny. My favorite is when they start dancing, not caring if anyone is watching. This has happened so many times at work, and I am always so happy when I see it! I’m grateful for kids because they remind me to stay in the now, speak my truth, and have fun!