I get several love gifts on a daily basis. By the end of the week, I have a pile of them. These love gifts come from my first grade students. They are sometimes cards, often drawings, and frequently airplanes. (B.B. is really fond of airplanes and trains.) Whenever, he makes an airplane for me, he throws in a demonstration for free. He's always surprised when I say, "But B.B., you forgot to put your name on it. How else will I remember it's from you." He smiles, and quickly writes his name on his love gift. Sometimes he remembers on his own and says, "Oh, by the way, I put my name on it for you." By the end of the month, my counter is running over with love gifts. Why don't I hang them up? you ask. Well, I do. I've run out of both room and wall space. My office cabinets are covered with these love gifts. Yes, I have an office in my classroom. I know, I'm very fortunate in that way. I love, love, love my office. I realize they are a rarity, even in my district. How did I get an office in my classroom? That explanation could be the topic of another slice. Thanks for the idea! Hey, am I talking to myself again? I do that occasionally :)
These love gifts are so important. They are not just pieces of paper. They are tokens of love. I did the same thing when I was a child. I recall picking dandelions for my mom and presenting them with pride like they were exotic flowers. Mom was so nice, accepting them graciously and putting them in water to keep them alive for as long as possible. Those dandelions were love gifts. So, I cherish the love gifts I receive from my students. I know they come from the heart...full of love.
What love gifts have you gotten lately?
Hmmm Love gifts... I don't get them like you do, but it's something cool to think about. I did send myself a love gift yesterday... a new iPad. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Yes, the iPad definitely counts! It's okay that we love ourselves, right?
DeleteLove this post- the term "love gifts," the signed paper airplanes, the overflowing counter. When I taught first grade, I got lots of these, I actually still have a file full. Now that I am in fourth grade, not so many-- they are too cool. They do other stuff, like tell me that they told their moms to buy goldfish crackers because the ones I make taste so good! Thanks for this gift of a post this morning!
ReplyDeleteThere are all kinds of love gifts. We just have to recognize them when we see them. It sounds like you do. I just love when parents say their child's teacher is the topic of conversation/adoration. :)
DeleteI love that you call them "love gifts." I have a file labeled "warm fuzzies" that I keep in the back of my cabinet. My love gifts stay on the wall for a couple of weeks then they go to the warm fuzzy file where I can turn when I've had a rough day and remind myself that I made a difference in someone's life. My kids get excited to watch me "archive" their gifts. Great story - don't we all talk to ourselves?
ReplyDeleteI love the words, "warm fuzzies" too. They do provide us with great memories. I'd like to think we all talk to ourselves now and then :)
DeleteMy classroom walls and boards are full of love gifts too. I cover every spare space and then tape them over each other until they are about a half inch thick by the end of the year. I take lots of them home and put them in a file and then pass on the file to the eighth grade teachers the day before that class graduates. They love going through them and remembering. At the end of the year I get lots of smiles and memories from eighth graders even though it's not cool to talk to your third grade teacher anymore. It takes up a lot of space in my file cabinet, but it's worth it! I figure they are love gifts that just keep on lovin'!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a great idea...passing on the file to their teachers when they get to the upper grades. I'll have to try that one. "Love gifts that keep on lovin!" I like that.
DeleteWorking in an elementary school sure does make me feel loved. I could relate to your post. I enjoyed how you captured these love gifts on paper. This week I got the love gift of a group hug by a first grade class standing in line waiting for the bathroom. It made me smile ear to ear.
ReplyDeleteGroups hugs are the best, Dana. The little ones really know how to share the love:)
ReplyDeleteMy desk at home fills with love gifts from my girls, and then some of them get transferred to our scrapbooks, while others are in boxes or files, and some even in the recycle bin (which probably sounds really bad).
ReplyDeleteI agree with others. I like the term that you use for these gifts. So perfect!