Yesterday?

​

Wasn’t it just yesterday I was sitting on the floor at dance class?

I am so lucky to have had the chance to teach so many little humans, each of them forever holding a place in my heart and embedded in my memories. The little girl on the right, Sun Woo, was so sweet, always happy, always smiling, and able to brighten a room just by walking into it. I taught her for several years while her family lived in the U.S. before they moved back to South Korea when she was a bit older. Funny enough, she and I are now Facebook friends, and we’ll probably always keep an eye out for one another.

The little girl on the left, Sydney, was always so quiet and thoughtful, silly, but only with those lucky enough to see that side of her. She always had a smile, though a shy one. I don’t think that little one had a mean bone in her body, and neither did Sun Woo. They were kind little humans who have grown into those same kind adults.

I only see Sun Woo virtually, darn geography, but I’m happy to say Sydney has stepped back into my weekly life, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s funny how some people stay connected, bonded by something greater than time or distance. I hadn’t seen Sydney in ages until I ran into her last year, and we reconnected immediately, both of us remembering the fondness and respect we’ve always had for each other.

I honestly feel so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to teach so many kids, and even happier that they remember me as a kind, loving, and respectful teacher. I always tried my best to honor each child’s unique personality, likes, dislikes, and comfort levels. I remember one little girl who was afraid of a song from The Lion King, so I simply never played it when she was in class. The little things are big things when you’re a kid.

Over the years, I taught thousands of children, and each and every one of them still makes me smile and holds a place in my heart.

And maybe that’s the greatest gift of all, knowing that those small moments we shared mattered, and still do. Time moves on, but those connections never really fade, they just grow with us.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou