While we were shopping at Goodwill on Wednesday, I saw the mom of one of my favorite kids from my old school.
(Okay, I can confess here that she was absolutely my favorite kid there... and I miss her terribly. More than all the other kids combined... even though I liked all of them quite a bit. Kayla* is just special.) If you have a few extra minutes, put her name in the search field at the top of my blog. I wrote about her a lot. This is one of my favorite stories about her, although everything I wrote about her makes me smile still.
ANYWAY. I saw Kayla's mom looking at clothes. And I said hi to her, and she said, "Hey, Kayla is over in the toys, you should go see her."
Which I immediately did.
I saw her standing there three inches taller than the last time I saw her and said, "Your mom said you were over here and sent me to say hi."
She turned to me and lit up. I got a hug.
She immediately started telling me about a craft project kit she'd received for Christmas and the purse she made.
Her words, as always, tripped over each other as she spoke, and she danced around while she talked. Her enthusiasm is so much fun, and one of the things I really miss.
So I told her I'd see her later, and she hugged me again.
As Eric and I were walking out of the store, she zipped past me with the keys to her mom's car. She said all in a rush, "Wait here, I have to show you what I made!" and ran off.
She was back in about four seconds to show me her project. I looked at it carefully, pronounced it 'beautiful' and she hugged me again. I watched to make sure she made it back into the store and to her mom.
And Eric and I left.
I have to tell you that it made my week to see her. One of my regrets is leaving my old school without saying goodbye to most of the kids, and her reaction to seeing me really made me feel good.
I know. I'm a sap.
But it was a lovely present to see her.
:)
That's sweet. Isn't it funny how much little people, even other people's little people, affect us?
ReplyDeleteAwww.
ReplyDeleteAnd how nice that she was so excited to see you still after so much time.
For years I had a student who worked at the local farmer's market that I would see and chat with. It was so much fun. And then she was gone. I always imagined it was because she was done with high school and had moved on with better things. I hope I was right. Hope it a powerful thing.
Some old friends came into "work" on my first day. It was great to see them! I found an old friend from the Salvation Army store working in my new grocery store and yesterday I started crying when I saw another old friend in at work, I was so excited! I love re-connecting with people and I'll try not to cry again. Lucky for me only one other person may have overheard my friend say "Are you crying?" I composed myself quickly. She apologized for not calling in like 6 years. She said that she was afraid to call because she thought that I'd hate her for not keeping in touch. I told her that if she'd kept in touch, I wouldn't have cried when I saw her! Does that make me a super sap?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to see Kayla. I remember her and how much you enjoyed her.
Hugs!!
That is really sweet! My sister is a nursery school teacher and has some great stories about meeting her little ones while out shopping!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful present...for both of you!! :O)
ReplyDeleteIt is sad when we have to leave people behind and it is normal to have favourites when it comes to people. We can't like everyone and everyone can't like us. There are just some kids who remind us of our own or are just plain endearing by virtue of who they are. It is wonderful you were able to see her and there may come a time when she is older, she will keep in contact with you and a friendship develop.
ReplyDelete