Clapton Didn't Know My Layla
So Friday is usually my favorite day because I have 3 kindergarten classes that are all gym. This means I just get to hug and play and run aorund with kids for 40 minutes. Now, 8 months ago I detested this time. I hated holding children if they cried and I despised their bickering and petty issues. But, then one day I woke up and said, "Dude, shit they're kids. Jesus Christ! Kids rule!" So here I am loving the times I have left with them. It's doubtful unless I myself have children that I will ever get the chance to feel this pure again. Anyway, what I wanted to talk about was Layla.
Layla has never liked me. She doens't like when Bret teacher gets loud. She doesn't like when Bret teacher plays games that are too rough. This was about 4 weeks ago that she had this detest for me. But, since that time Layla and I have a special bond. You see she doesn't like to play any of the games that I make up for gym class. At first she tried, after I earned her trust by holding her for 20 minutes when she cried one day, but she always ended up getting hurt becuase she is so fragile. So now I just hold her on my shoulders while everyone else plays. She giggles and laughs when I tickle her legs or when I swing her down. It's fun to see her little silver fillings in the back of her mouth when she laughs. She looks like the most beautiful thing on Earth when she luaghs, simply because it's such a rare treat to see her laugh. She climbs all over me and when she gets scared or one of the other children say something that offends Layla she comes and cries on my me or hides her head in my lap. She will sometimes even run out of her other classes to come and look for Bret teacher because she is sad. ALl the other teachers think it's cute. I think it's a little disturbing and that some of her real teachers should be helping Layla to better adjust to her environment. But, other than that I don't really mind. I always have time to hold Layla.
This may not seem like a big deal to those of you who enjoy children or have played with younger siblings or cousins your whole life. But, to me, this is a joy that I have never experienced, and since I get to experience it this late in life I get to reflect and ponder what I have really missed and what is really important. I think experiencing innocence at this stage in my life has been a large factor in my growth.