The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages
I was a first year teacher, teaching first grade in a town where most students came from disadvantaged families. It was the day before Christmas break, and I had just handed out bags to all of the students full of coloring books, crayons, candy canes, etc. One of the little girls in my class came up to my desk with a tiny piece of wrapping paper and told me she had a gift for me. When I unwrapped it, I saw a dime inside. She said "My family doesn't have any money for presents, so I gave you the only thing I had. I hope you like it."
Blinking back the tears in my eyes, I gave it back to her and explained that I wanted her to keep that very special dime for herself. Instead, she colored a picture for me from her coloring book, which I still have 11 years later. I knew that day that: #1, I had the greatest job in the world, and # 2, I will never receive a better gift!
Janine Duffy, Forked River, NJ
|
