Happy Birthday, Mrs. Chelle

I wasn't in the classroom on my birthday, but it looks like the kids of my mom's class were all ready to celebrate when I returned!

I went back to class on June 1st, and a few of the students approached me with beautifully illustrated cards filled with "I love you's," a birthday "basket" decorated with bright pink ribbons and filled with beads and jewels, an origami dove, a paper heart bracelet, an envelope with a marble (and a 50 cen coin!) inside and even a musical "water bottle" filled with special tissue paper.

I gushed over each one-of-a-kind gift. They had learned how to spell my name from their spelling tests (looks like some of them have some more studying to do). My mom was really sweet and she added "Michelle" as challenge word in addition to their other words.

As more of the students came in for class, they said "Happy Birthday" on their own free will! There was no Facebook or Friendster to remind them (not that being reminded makes a wish any less meaningful - I received 100 beautiful messages via those two programs). They just...remembered.

Sigh.

I don't want these kinds of posts to become hackneyed, but really, you need to step into a classroom once in awhile where love flows both ways! To be remembered on your birthday is one thing, but to receive such personalized mementos, crafted with such love and care - - it just takes it all to another level!