Pages

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Too Many Choices, No Direction

Tonight I have too many ideas from which to choose. 

I could write about my six-year old being sick and how he calls me each time he heads to the toilet.  I guess I make good puking company!  Tending to a child who is ill is actually one of the greatest blessings -- sure, there are the bodily fluids to deal with, but the tenderness can be excruciatingly wonderful.

I could write about class today.  Students were writing their essays about what they will seek and what they would sacrifice.  One young lady came to my desk and asked me, "Can I give my essay alternate endings?" My laughter burst out of me and broke the silence of the writers before I could catch it.  It was like she wanted to create the special edition DVD version of her essay.  Does this idea make anyone else smile?

I could write about how lately, I have been saying hello to this boy who spends his entire lunch period standing against a wall all alone.  Each day, I walk past him on my way from my classroom to my office. I smile at him and he smiles at me, too.   And lately, I have started talking to him.  A simple hello at first, but today, whole sentences!  He never says much back, but he returns my smile each time.  I want to be able to address him by name, but I am not sure how to get it.  Wouldn't it be weird to just walk up to a random student and ask his name?  I feel like it would.

I could write about how my husband thinks my first statement about there being wonderful in the kiddo's sickness is its own wonderful nonsense, or, as he put it, "the craziest thing I've heard."

Too many ideas tonight and already, my time is up.  I know because my eyes are closed.

5 comments:

Broghan said...

I don't think the student counts as random if you speak to him everyday. Asking his name just shows that you care enough to know it.

And I'd totally read a special edition essay, I think it's brilliant!

DHTMaster said...

Tonight I felt like I had No direction because I couldn't think of choices. Your title drew me in. An enjoyable post. And when I was a young child something about having mom or dad there always made puking a safer, though still disgusting experience.

Anonymous said...

Your random thoughts are wonderful - quick peaks into your day. The phrase "tenderness can be excruciatingly wonderful" makes my heart melt. Thanks for noticing the boy. I hope you do find out his name. Who does he have to notice him? You. Bravo!! :)MaryHelen

Alyssa Brooke Esmond said...

you are too too cute. i love the way you write. hope everything is going SO WELL Mrs. Elliott :)

Allie said...

I think something like "I see you every day, but never caught your name..." followed by a "Hi, I'm Mrs. Elliott" - maybe? I hope you get his name soon. I think it would haunt me. :-)