Protector

Saturday night I did a photo shoot for a Mardi Gras party. When I left, I headed toward the interstate that would deliver me almost to my front door. I was on my happy little way...until I missed the interstate exchange.

And ended up in a not so safe part of town.

At 11:30 at night.

Did I mention that I was completely unfamiliar with where I was?

I was in a panic, heart racing, every single convenient store was closed, barred, locked up. Few street lights. Please tell me you've NEVER been in a similar situation!

I called H and he delivered me safely to the interstate. (Thank you, God, for cell phones!)

I was telling my sweet students this little story today. How scared I was because I was lost. How it felt to not know where I was, etc. Several students were twittering. After all, it IS a little funny to know that an adult was so scared!

However, one of my students was looking more and more worried.

Finally, he piped up and said, "Mrs. Benson! You should NEVER have been on that road by yourself so late at night!!!! It is dangerous. People get SHOT there!"

Have I mentioned that I teach SECOND GRADE???? What in the world does an eight year old know about people getting shot?????? And aren't the roles reversed here? Shouldn't I be the one protecting him and not the other way around?

My heart grew two sizes that day. (um...this day).

And then I got this note in my box:

"I choose Mrs. Benson as the rotary teacher for March. Mrs. Benson was my second grade teacher. I appreciate not only everything that she taught me, bu also that she never gave up on me. She always had time for me and she always encouraged me to do my best in everything I did. She loved me and cared about me." (Former student who is in 5th grade this year and has matured into the most amazing young man.)

My heart almost thumped out of my chest as tears coursed down my cheeks. I stood in the office and sobbed as if my heart was in a million pieces.

There are mornings when I detest getting up. I grumble about dressing M and sending her off to be in the care of others. I miss her tremendously during the day and wish we were together. But, friends, that note is exactly why I do what I do. I teach so I can make a difference just like that. That note was a career maker. I can live off that high for years.

My heart grew two sizes today.