So it’s Heritage Day and everyone is trying to celebrate with a braai or something around our load shedding schedules. I must admit I carry on as if it is part of our lives but then this week on Thursday I got into my car and had a little cry and thought the only thing it can be about is; load shedding. I guess it makes us re-evaluate our choices, makes us doubt our paths we have chosen and don’t have a choice about and then try to soldier on. But this blog is not about load shedding, as we are all tired of even hearing the words, but it is about kindness.
Three things happened to me this week which have stood out for me. Firstly I had a little boy in my class cry unexpectedly. When I pulled him aside I recalled him being the child who came to me on the day my granny had died and had told me “it’s okay to have a bad day, we all do sometimes.” So with that in mind he off loaded what was bothering him. Luckily I did what all my experience as a teacher and mom allowed me to do. I gave him a hug and listened. I told him when he was finished “you know it’s okay to have a bad day, we all do sometimes”.
The second thing that happened to me was that I needed to have something laminated for my classroom. The process to get something laminated through work is a little time consuming but cost effective. I had however lost my form to put in my request.I quickly messaged a colleague to ask if she had one spare. She messaged back that she would kindly laminate it for me at home that evening as she had her own laminator. I know it’s not a big deal, but she didn’t have to, she didn’t have to offer, she didn’t have to be so nice. But I really appreciated it.
The third thing happened yesterday. I have been watching my instagram account numbers slowly rising and I had hoped to reach 200 by yesterday evening. However my numbers had dropped a little from the previous day. Feeling disappointed I put my phone down. A few hours later I checked again and saw my numbers had increased and passed 200! I also received a message. A well known teacher influencer had posted a story and tagged me in it as a suggestion for teacher appreciation gifts for the 5th of October. I was blown away. She didn’t have to, I had not contacted her, she had just simply been kind.
So yes it’s been a couple of rough weeks with load shedding, but we need to remember to be kind, to show acts of kindness and to just be nice. Because that is what makes us South African, that is what makes me proud when I meet people.
I have loved seeing all the celebration ideas, the image is all the art works my son brought home from nursery school this past week. They also had a drumming class and a class braai.
I would love to see some of your celebrations!
love
Beth