A Special Day

My family will tell you I'm not a big fan of "programs". I drag myself to ballet and gymnastics because my grandkids are involved, and would prefer that I could see their performances and go home. I was expecting kind of the same today at the girls' school, since it was "Special Persons" Day. I assume it's like grandparents day that I've seen at other schools, but a little broader.

I figured I would watch the girls classes perform--of course Jeslyn was near the beginning and Jolie was near the end--and took a book to read while the other classes were performing. I was also aware that this is yet another retirement perk--I couldn't have seen this if I was still working. To my enjoyment, I greatly underestimated the impact the day would have on me.

The kindergarten classes started off, with a performance of "It's a Small World" complete with the monotone kid who must have managed to sneak a wireless mike onto his/her person--at age 5 it's kind of hard to tell the boys' voices from the girls'.

Then the first grade, Jeslyn's class, was next, and Jeslyn had been chosen to recite one of the welcome announcements for the class, which she did with one of the broadest smiles of the day. Her smile continued through their singing of their two songs and choreography.

The fifth grade was marked by about 100 kids who all seemed to be on key.

The 6th 7th and 8th graders don't sing, but about 10 of them are chosen to read the essay about their special person, and I decided to put my book away for the time being. Moms and Dads were included of course, but there was one tribute to an inspiring teacher, another to grandparents who took her in, "because my parents couldn't take care of me," and an Uncle who was a Marine war hero. Then all of the middle school kids (Moiola is a k-8 school) came out and presented their special person with a framed copy of their essay. Since the Russells have moved into a new attendance area, I don't know if I will get to see the girls do this at their new school.

Jolie's 4th grade classes were next, and again she exhibited a big smile, was out front performing a french folk dance with classmates, and seemed to be thoroughly at home. I pointed out how happy both of my girls were to be there, because I couldn't help but notice a few kids in all classes who were not smiling, and spent most of the time looking at their shoes. Was wondering whether their parents even came, whether they didn't want their parents to come, whether they were afraid to go home, etc.

Then it was the 3rd graders to perform 2 songs. First was, "I'd like to teach the world to sing," which of course had Jen and I both singing the Coke commercial. Then they did a great job on "We are the World." I have to confess this really got to me. It's moving enough to watch the original performance in this year of MJ's passing. But when you see 60 8-year-olds saying,
"We are the world, we are its children, we are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving. There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives..." with such conviction, it's quite overwhelming.

Then the second graders also sang a couple of songs which highlighted the theme of the day, which was diversity. Each of the second graded classes listed the native countries represented in their class, and the total seemed to be about 20 different nations.

Then it was time for classroom visitations. Jeff and his mom went to Jolie's class first, so we went to Jeslyn's. She gave us a big hug, then set down to finish the picture she was coloring for her mommy. So Jan and I guided ourselves around the displays, finally getting to the part where each member had posted their special persons essay. Jan and I both teared up when we read, "My sister Jolie is my special person," with 5 or 6 sentences extolling the virtues of her sister, with whom she is frequently quarreling when at grandma's house. (I was reminded of a friend's facebook post. His 5 year old had his 2 year old sister's name posted on his wall as a reminder to pray for her. Daddy was so proud until he learned that the posting was a result of a Sunday school lesson on loving your enemies!) Jeslyn is very competitive and seems always to want to outdo her sister. Yet, Jolie was her special person, and my unbiased opinion is that she could not pick a better person to emulate.

Then we went to Jolie's class. As if to underscore how different they are, Jolie led us on a guided tour of her classroom, explaining each display, and making sure to point out which one was hers. Her "special person" was her entire family, which is fitting because for her to choose would be to possibly hurt someone else's feelings, which she is not willing to do.

I'm thinking Special Persons Day next year will be on November 19. I've already blocked it off on my calendar (or I would if I had one).