Before I flew off to Cambodia, I packed up some odds and ends from the classroom and asked friends to mail them to me. Now this is really a good deed because it costs many times more to send these things than the stuff is actually worth.
Not only that, it's really wonderful to get a package at school full of treasures. Especially for things that aren't available here.
So this is a thank you blog dedicated to those who sent off a very expensive package to me in Cambodia. The story below is especially for you.
Here is a sample of a few things that have arrived by mail
I have a special story to share about the red plastic bin in the picture that arrived a few months ago. I have 3 of those bins in lovely primary colors. When the package with the bins arrived, I had my classroom set up in 4 groups. Did you do the math? 4 groups, 3 bins. So one of the groups was left with the same basket that they had used since the beginning of the year. They are nice baskets, and perfectly functional. Everyone was completely satisfied with their original baskets, that is until the package came.
When I put the new baskets out on the table I had a talk with everyone on the mat about how to keep their things neat and organized. I showed them an example bin with glue and scissors in one compartment, pencils and erasers in another, and the crayons in the last. Everyone oooohhed and aaaaahhed like they were watching a fireworks display. Isu twiddled her fingers together and her eyes were rounder than I ever thought possible. I never would have guessed the new (but used) plastic bins would be such hit. Everyone was delighted. The group who didn't get one on their table was disappointed, but quickly got over it and moved on with their little second grade lives. That is, everyone except Jimmy. Jimmy was downcast. He was forlorn. He was drooping over his table and really couldn't accept that his table couldn't use one of the "new" bins. There may have even been a slight pooling of tears in the eyes, but not enough to overflow. Before I go on I must tell you a little more about Jimmy.
At the beginning of the year Jimmy felt it necessary to announce to the class (unasked for, I might add) That his shoes were from the U.S. and he had two pairs of new shoes. When his birthday rolled around, he announced to the class that he was going out to a restaurant twice and would have two cakes. I'm not sure if that included the one his family brought to class. I might also add that Jimmy drives up to school in a nicer car than I have ever driven in my life. So I know that Jimmy is blessed and well taken care of. So my compassion meter was on low in regards to Jimmy.
When we both had a moment, I sat down and had a conversation with Jimmy and it went something like this:
"Jimmy, weren't you excited to tell the class about what nice shoes you have that came all the way from the U.S.? Didn't you have a great birthday with two cakes? You have many wonderful things in your life. Do you remember during our Bible lesson we learned about a lady named Fanny Crosby? When she was little she got very sick. The doctors made her blind by giving her the wrong medicine. But when she grew up, she never complained. She spent her life thanking God and writing songs to praise him and thank him. Jimmy you have very nice things that you should be thankful for. And if someone else gets something nice, you should be thankful in your heart for them, that they got something nice."
Jimmy listened intently the whole time. He didn't have much to say, but he looked as if he was considering what I had to say. I'm happy to report that Jimmy has survived quite nicely using one of his old baskets. A month or so later I rearranged my room and everyone has a special bin on their desk now, including Jimmy.
So if you were one of the ones to mail a package of school supplies, thank you again. You didn't just bless us with fun and useful things for the classroom, but you provided a lesson in character for Jimmy as well.
