gift of kids

Last Friday was my late birthday blow-out to my friends in Miriam Grade School (3 teachers who shared with me each schoolyear’s UPS and MANY DOWNS --- nothing cements friendships better than battles fought together). Conversations over pasta and a giant cookie centered around life in Miriam…and I realized it was a life I really missed.

They were talking about their ups and downs as teachers, the normal everyday things I used to complain about and I imagined myself worrying about the same thing, still. Being a teacher is not an easy life, that’s for sure. The stress of checking papers and writing lesson plans, the stress of not earning enough, the tension from the administration, the quarrels among co-teachers…But looking at my friends, and despite hearing about their complaints, I knew also that their hearts were very fulfilled because of each child that they come into contact with every single day. I know because I had it once before.

Being with children and just watching them grow up is a feeling that can’t be beat. Your life is just full of purpose and meaning that you survive the stress that comes with it. Each day brings something new and you see the world around you with fresh eyes, through your children’s eyes. Plus, it’s much more comfortable to live with children rather than adults, there’s less effort and pretense.

I talked with Mark the other day and he told me what I knew all along, that he wanted t go back to teaching. And I’m one to admit that I want to go back, too.
Add to the damage was that I went and visited Kiaw and Gab (Mark’s nephew and niece) over the weekend and was absolutely and perpetually amused and overjoyed by their being. Kids do that to me: make me feel that the world is a better place. I guess that’s why I was able to stay at Miriam for three whole years and have nothing but fond memories.

My life as a teacher is a life I miss but I also am happy with the decisions I made in my life. Joining the corporate workforce has opened many opportunities for growth and has made me grow. Period.

I’ve learned more about myself during this past year and a half. I work in training, therefore seldom is work routinary. You meet employees of Meralco far and wide. You listen to inspiring teachers (while fondly remembering that I was once like that). And at this point in my life, I am afforded a different kind of life…able to give money to my parents and save enough for my dreams.

I guess God brings us to certain moments in our lives, to certain places that is where you’re supposed to be. And we’re called to make good in every moment, to prepare us in travelling further along our journeys.

I will not discount my dream to go back to kids. I WILL go back, one way or another. In the meantime, I am grateful to be where I am and grateful for where I may be in the future.