Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Sub Notes: Classroom Clairboyant

Many years ago, while I was subbing in seventh grade, I got the children working and then walked around to make sure they didn’t have questions. One little boy raised his hand as I walked by. “What day is your birthday?” he asked.

I’ve always thought that was worded oddly. Not “when is your birthday,” but “what day.” But the weird part was—that day was my birthday.

“Today,” I blurted out, shocked.

The little boy nodded sagely. I didn’t want to encourage him to ask personal questions rather than doing his work—anything to get out of working for some of them—so I kept walking around the room.

Then I realized how weird that was. I didn’t know the kid or anyone related to him. I hadn’t said a word about my birthday to anyone. It's not a question people typically ask, let alone children.  I backed up. “Why did you ask me that?” I asked. He smiled shyly. Then he just shrugged. "No kidding," I said.  "Did something tip you off?"  He just shrugged again.

Kids say the darndest things.

An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth. We can’t learn anything new until we can admit that we don’t already know everything. ~Erwin G. Hall

8 comments:

  1. I wonder where that boy ended up.
    I love "clairboyant" for a boy. Good stuff, Tammy.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. Kay, I've always wondered the same thing. Every time I see a TV psychic, I wonder if he could have been that cute little boy!

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  3. That IS an odd experience, Tammy. And I agree with Kay. "Clairboyant" is quite clever.

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  4. Great title for a post, and a fascinating story. It's strange that he asked that question on your birthday.
    Donna

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  5. Children have such an open heart and mind, don't take much for us to give our selves away. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  6. Kids don't have all the pretense; they are still intuitive. He may have been your gaurdian angel, unless he was a little devil.

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  7. Sounds like a great title for book..."The Claiboyant". Start writing it, Tammy!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  8. That's cool if you ask me. And it sounds like you have a lot of stories to tell. I like Pat's title too!

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