A Volunteer

I stand in the front hallway waiting.  At times, I wonder if this waiting, waiting is the best use of my time....I have so many thing to do.  My list is a mile long.

And then here they come around the corner.  Each one of the twenty faces light up when they see me standing and waiting.  They shyly wave and a few exuberantly wave both arms over their head while doing a little jig in their place in line. A few look over their shoulder in delight to whisper "WILLIAM!  YOUR MOM IS HERE!"  Finally, my boy comes around the corner and when his eyes meet mine, a smile like the breaking dawn spreads across his face.  He has the most beautiful smile, my boy.  Totally irresistible.

"Mommy!  You came today!"

"Of course I did - remember?  We talked about it this morning."

He reaches his hand out and we hold hands the rest of the way down the hallway to his classroom.






"Mom?  I'm so, SO glad you are here."

In this moment, I'm not sure Disneyland is the happiest place on earth.  I think it might be this kindergarten class.

I am aware of the rarity of this moment.  My child is excited to see me at school.  He calls me by name in front of his peers.  Seeing me has brought a smile to his face.  This precious boy is so glad I am here.  I understand he will not feel this way about me forever and I relish these moments that are just the two of us.  By being here, he knows that he is important.  He is important enough that I stop doing everything for an hour a week to come to his school and help his teacher.  Some days I get to work with William.  Most days, I am working with other students who need a little extra help.

 So yes, most of the day I am check, check, checking things off a list.  All day long, I refer to my handwritten and mental checklist of things to do.  Pay the preschool, pick up milk at the store, wash the shirt for purple day, pack lunches, get notes ready for work meetings, etc.

At the beginning of this year, I committed to spending one hour a week at William's school helping out.  I have a lot to offer with a background in education and I love the opportunity to help.  However, there have been a lot of other perks.  I know each of his classmates by name.  I have observed (for better or worse) the classroom environment my child works in.  I have a personal relationship with his teacher.


In the end, I think although I am the one donating my time, I am coming out ahead.