The primary school cafeteria was transformed into an auditorium. Chairs faced the make-shift stage.
We grandparents arrived early to get good seats for this great photo opportunity.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The performers had prepared a kindergarten play under the creative guidance of their obviously well-loved teacher, Mrs. Rose.
As we all filed in, it became clear to me that children are the great equalizers of our human family. No matter if we are plumber or professor, auto tech or computer tech, teacher or brain surgeon, engineer or artist, we all feel something strangely powerful when “our” children perform.
It may be part nostalgia as we watch our children doing what we did as children. And it may be part wistfulness. Our children symbolize all of our own hopes and dreams.
It may simply be the call of our soul to embrace what is timeless and without definition . . . Love.
It is likely, however, that none of the parents themselves were thinking these philosophical thoughts. They were too busy with realities of the moment. Sitting on the edge of their seats, they were likely filled with both pride and a slight amount of tension. They desperately wanted their children to do well.
And getting there for many of them was not easy. Some had to leave work early or fight traffic. No time for a leisurely dinner. Some likely had to deal with squabbling siblings, or rearranging piano lessons. Some had to calm the butterflies in their child’s tummy. Some had to adjust costumes. Who knows? No matter. Everyone made it.
Finally, the music cued the young performers to enter. Heartbeats quickened. Cameras were raised in position.
Each little one entered with some kind of simple costume. They waved to the audience (and smiled!) one by one and took their places on the risers. Like all other parents, Tom and I watched for two special children with our cameras ready. Twins. One was playing “grandpa” and one was “sunshine.” We clicked away.
The children looked for their families just as readily as we looked for our children.
The power of love and connection filled the air.
Enter Mrs. Rose. The teacher. The director. The surrogate parent. The balm for worries. The promoter of potential. The creator of memories. Mrs. Rose was the model of enthusiasm, love, creativity, energy, support, and expectation.
She sat on the floor as she cued and directed the performance. They all watched her and they literally radiated her energy and joy. They were, after all, Mrs. Rose’s Kindergarten “Buds.” Little “rose” buds opening up to their potential.
Talk about character development! The play was called: “The ABC’s of Friendship.” It was profound, cute, musical, fun, and literally joyous. They sang out truths such as it takes all kinds of people to make the world a beautiful place. It takes learning how to get along…how to be a good friend… how to accept differences (“Now you be you and I’ll be me.”)
Each quality of friendship was given a letter and a line. Each child was given their moment to shine and shine they did! It was obvious that they were prepared.
It was also obvious that the principles of good relationships were being taught in the classroom through the thick and thin of daily learning.
Mrs. Rose inspired me (as do all great teachers). She loves them, works hard on their behalf, insists on their best behavior as she teaches character development, emotional development, brain development. But this night was not about her. She remained in the background. She honored the children. Without her, however, it would never have happened. Especially in the way it did.
Thank you, Mrs. Rose. Thank you for loving the children so seemingly tirelessly. We know better. It takes work, dedication, time, creative energy, wisdom, knowledge about human development, respect for children and families, patience, practice, commitment to values, and unwavering faith in human potential. It is hard work. I hope you know it is appreciated. The world is the better for teachers like you.
Behind the scenes, we parents know the truth of this. We see how much your students love you and how much they have grown in knowledge and social skills … that is the “fruit” of your work. In due time the seeds you are planting today will become the great gardens and forests of mind, character, and service tomorrow.
I thought of all of the Mrs. Rose type teachers this morning when I was reading the following quotes having to do with the question of what a successful life really looks like:
“…if it (a successful life) is about achievement, what have we achieved that will last beyond the power to rust, or break, or steal it? ….A world built on prestige and social status has distorted the very idea of success. …. When people look back and ask what we achieved in life, what it was to which we gave our hearts, will there be only a property list, a membership list, and a bank balance to show for it? …”
“… There is no doubt that we will succeed. The only question is, in what? it’s not the things we do that count in the end. It’s the way we do the things we must do that makes a difference.”
Thank you not only for your work, but for creating joy in the process. It was contagious.
The quotes are lifted from Joan Chittister’s book, Welcome to the Wisdom of the World.