I listened to her giggle during this afterschool voluntary task helping some other students put books on my library shelves. It's a new year and some jobs in setting up my classroom I have saved for student volunteers. A favorite student from last year joined us and we all melted into the comraderie of the task.
I just don't feel as connected to my new students as to my old favorites. I want to, but it takes time. Today all I feel is exhausted from all the copying and checking off updated class lists and teaching an unbonded pack of 21 distinct personalities jockeying for attention.
But this new girl's happy giggle puts me at ease and pulls me close to my new students. In time I will know some of their stories, what they like, who lives with Grandma instead of Mom, who usually packs lunch like me, how to avoid some of the anger landmines of those with short fuses, which ones are hungry for hugs (well, ok, I know those already!)
It's just a new year. A new batch of unfamiliar faces. But that giggle makes me hopeful. The smile that it coaxes from my weary spirit just now tugs me toward a new bond. I already know all their first names. Tomorrow I will try to make each one smile a genuine eye-to-eye connections smile. Then I'm hooked. Perhaps this giggle is just what I needed today.
