Today … a bubble in the reeds. Claudia Dea. CC BY
Today held some rare things.
A teacher said, “Come sit with me while I do my reading groups. I don’t learn by watching but by doing. Just be there with me and jump in when you see a way I can make them better.”
A third-grader read me his rough draft about experiencing an eclipse, relating his understanding of the science behind it, yet conveying real fear at watching the sun go dark. I sat, listening, in awe of his inspiration, his words.
Another third-grader read her narrative draft to me. How she helps her grandmother to dress and brush her teeth, but not wanting to, wanting instead to go outside and play or watch TV . . . . I sat blinking back tears as she spoke her truths recorded there on the page. She has no idea how powerful this is. How powerful she is. And she’s eight.
I walked down an empty hallway and suddenly heard song—a student coming up the stairs, walking back to class, singing to herself in a vibrato that almost sounded trained. I turned around to see her moving her arms and hands in time with the words. Sign language. I didn’t know she could sing. Or sign.
Had I somehow fallen into a parallel universe, a facet of paradise, maybe, where beauty is multiplied exponentially? Somewhere over the rainbow?
But no, these were only moments in a regular day. Wondrous bubbles against the usual backdrop. Shining, ethereal, iridescent.
And all I really did was show up and listen.
lit bits and pieces 
I am participating in a holiday self-care program, and this week’s focus quote is from Eckhart Tolle– ““The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: You create a good future by creating a good present.” Your list of things noticed, of being present, bodes for a joyful and hopeful future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You showed up. You noticed. You wrote. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments of every day life. Kids are amazing and you noticed so many bursts of greatness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I love all your posts, but this one really needs to be shared on a much larger scope. We need this testimony of excellence. Really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Wondrous bubbles against the usual backdrop.” Thank you for a post that reminds us of the beauty we can experience when we “show up and listen.” Powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this line too. Our days are filled with them. We just have to know to look. These bubbles were pretty wondrous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having read your slice, now I feel a little bubbly. Spreading good feelings is among the best possible kinds of contagious. Thanks for sharing today.
LikeLiked by 1 person