Mr. Mac and the Pat on the Back

I never ever meant to go another week without posting. I promise, I am not burned out or blogged out, I'm just trying to wear several hats right now and somehow, I have fought the temptation to stay away from the computer. I did want to pop in a share one quick story with you.

I really have been spending my free time studying (it is major crunch time; three lessons and a final to go and then I am done) so it seems like my life has been a little uneventful lately. However, last Sunday, something cool happened.

Have you ever heard the saying, "life isn't measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"? I had one of those moments last Sunday. Big Daddy and I started teaching the kindergarten class a few weeks ago. The class is a good size, around 12, and each of the kids manage to make us laugh every week. About two weeks ago, one little boy tried to use the word "poop" in is answer as many times as possible. I stopped counting after five. While we have bonded with all the kids, there is one that has truly stolen my heart.

Mac, is a special boy. He has a smile on his face every time I see him, he always does what I ask, and tries to participate. He also has autism. I'm not sure of the degree of his autism, I only know that he doesn't really speak and even though he joins us in the story circle or at the tables when I ask, he seems to be in his own world. As much as I would love to hug him and squeeze his cute little face, I know that it would scare him.

Last Sunday, I took an activity tape for us to listen and play along with after story time. It has things on it like skip to my loo, old brass wagon, mulberry bush.....kids always seem to love it. We all made a circle and Mac joined in across from me. I saw the other kids take his hands and prepare to play along as if he were just like them. Mac didn't flinch or pull away, he just smiled looked around the room. The music started and we followed the directions on the tape. We circled to the right, then to the left, we marched fast and slow, we wiggled our arms, legs and heads...we did it all. I noticed that Mac was loving it. He did everything. He was having such a great time. I saw him smile and giggle and wiggle, but then, when it was time, he would grab his neighbor's hands and prepare for the next activity. Sometimes he was faster than I was at circling and grabbing hands. Half the time, I was scattering to find my neighbor and move on before the exercise was over, but Mac was always on cue.

At one point, we had to put our whole bodies in the circle and wiggle and shake like crazy. Mac really enjoyed this part. As we are all gathered together in the middle, one little girl came up to me with a smile so large I could see her 12 year molars, she said, "Teacher do you see Mac? HE IS SO HAPPY!!!" She glanced over at him and as he laughed and shook his body, her smile got even bigger. The joy on her face was so sincere, I could have cried. Of course as an adult, I can tell the difference between Mac and the other kids. I am sure the kids can see it as well, but I never expected a 6 year old girl to see how amazing it was for someone who is special like Mac, to truly be enjoying himself. I never thought that they had that kind of awareness. Kids are always so wrapped up in themselves...that is the way they are made...I was amazed at Mac but I was equally amazed that this little girl, who is only six, saw the joy on his face, and got joy from it herself...so much so, she wanted to share it with me.

Mac continued having a great time, even when we moved on to our coloring sheet. I sat at the table next to him and asked if he wanted a blue crayon. He looked at me, smiled and kind of made a squealing sound, then he clapped, which made me clap, then he laughed and patted me on the back....which took my breath away.