This morning, in my Thursday Toddler storytime, I had a last-minute additional family. The mom called fifteen minutes prior, and asked if she could come to today’s storytime, since they’d had to drop out of the Monday storytime due to a conflict. “Sure,” I said, “No problem – see you soon.”
But I hadn’t realized that Mary’s older sister, Grace, who is four, also would be attending. Grace hadn’t come to the Monday storytimes with Mary (she must be in preschool on Mondays), and so I didn’t have a nametag for her. Usually kids don’t really notice whether or not they have a nametag, so I didn’t worry too much.
Mid-way through the storytime, though, Grace raised her hand, “Abby? I don’t have a nametag…”Â
“I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn’t know that you’d be coming today,” I said, “but I’m very happy that you’re here! I’ll make you a nametag for next week, ok?”
Even as she nodded ok, Grace’s eyes filled with tears. She was about to lose it.
“Would you like to wear my nametag, Grace?” Big, grateful, happy nod. And Grace was Abby for the rest of the storytime.
That is so cute! You are a great children’s librarian, by the way!
Jean beat me to it. I was going to say you are a wonderful teacher at heart. Such little moves show such a generous spirit. Belated HB greetings, too. I’m super-glad you got your wish! And so proud that I was a contributor…it made shopping so easy!-L
Thanks, guys! This was definitely a “moment” for me, when I realized that my instincts are pretty spot-on. It felt good to have that realization.
And Liz, thanks for my b-day present! It’s nice to have hope alive again.