jjay

I haven't been in the mood to use my own words lately. Personal thoughts have seemed trite and useless to me. But its just a phase, this boredom with myself will pass.

The most interesting and note worthy tidbits of my life these days are the 4th graders. Twice a week I take groups of them on a tour of their history. Teaching them of things like archeology and preservation. Thus far it has been a very refreshing experience for body and mind...except for my voice it goes to hell after talking for hours on end above the roar of traffic passing at the speed of life past the island of tradition and continuity on which I stand with the 4th graders. They remind me of all that is good in this world. They give me hope. Yesterday, one of kids at the end of the tour as I led them to the exit gave me hug and thanked me for teaching him. I was knocked on my ass by that one. I had spent a mere three hours with this child and here he was giving me a hug. I have spent countless moments with individuals three times his age never hearing more than a few words directed at myself, feeling completely alone in a room filled with people. And yet with a sheer gesture from this child who I did not know, I was validated and made to feel connected. The boldness of innocence shook me yesterday and jolted me awake.