Today I was watching the clip of President Bush reading to second graders as the first plane hit on 9/11. I was reading to kindergarteners at that same moment. The second graders are now 17. My kindergarteners are now 15. Some of those second graders described the look they remember on President Bush’s face when the aid whispered what happened in his ear. My 15 year old “kindergartners” are now able to remember sitting on that carpet that day as my student teacher and I hear the news in much the same way – someone came to the classroom and whispered it in our ear. Soon after the second plane hit, it was announced over the loud speaker that the school was going into lockdown.
I remember sitting on my teacher chair with those little faces looking up at me asking, “What’s happening?”. I don’t remember what I said to them that day. Now that they are old enough to participate in the “Where were you when it happened?” conversations going on all over this weekend, I can only hope it was the right thing. Did I explain it correctly? Did they feel comfort? Did they feel safe? Did they feel secure in my care?
My words had an influence on 21 young minds that day on an experience they will remember forever. This gives me pause to stop and think today. We must be careful of the things we say – and don’t say. How we act and react to the people we come into contact with each day, impacts their lives – even in some small way. What are the last words you said to someone you love? What kind of an impact will your words make if you never see that person again? Sobering.
And those of you who know me, wonder why I don’t like to fight, hold grudges, be mean to people who hurt me – this is why. Ten years later those children are saying, “I remember sitting on the carpet in Mrs. Bartosik’s room and…” How do I want them to finish that sentence? We are all important. We touch people’s lives everyday. Do all you can to make those “touches” convey something good, because you never know when you will be sitting, wondering, years from now, how you made someone feel today.
And so, as another day goes by, I hope my babies felt safe that day, and…I have written.
*Art work below by my daughter, Ashley. It’s a pencil drawing of her own hands. To me, it represents kindness and gentleness – the kind of person she is.
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