Sometimes connections with the kids happen in unplanned and unexpected ways. Today at recess, Cassie and I were sitting on the steps talking with another staff member when I saw a group of our rather rambunctious first and second graders playing a modified version of baseball. Their equipment consisted of a green plastic Wiffle bat, one glove, and a small beat-up nerf ball.
If case you didn’t know, baseball is my favorite sport. “I’m going over there,” I told Cassie. Of course I was.
As is true with most activities in which young boys are in charge, a slightly ordered chaos reigned. They immediately turned to me to sort out the batting order. “Profe! Profe!” they yelled. (That’s short for our title of “profesora”.)
I managed to get them into something of a line up – Yaniel, Jesser, Max, Mateo, Nimrod, Jeffry, Joshua, Steven. Then I asked if I could have a turn. They looked a little unsure at first, but then the grins appeared. I don’t think the teachers come out to play baseball much.
The first pitch was well outside and high, but I swung wildly anyway, much to to the amusement of the boys. “Strike!” they shouted gleefully. I made solid contact on the second pitch and ran to the first base tree , then raced around in an ovally diamond shape back to the area that seemed to be “home”. The boys all cheered and gave me high fives.
The game continued, and I enjoyed watching them try to count balls and strikes and call Yaniel back because he hit the ball foul. (Who knew where the foul line was? Not me!) They cheered loudly each time contact was made, and other than disputes about who was up next, there was a general good-natured feel to the thing. Pretty much everyone scored. It was the whole point. Hit the ball. Run home. No one gets out.
Recess continued, and I went back and sat on the steps. Jesser followed me over and Cassie asked him about the baseball game. He looked over with a little smile and said, “She hit a home run.”
We all did. And we sure had fun.
Made for Eternity 
And today, your sweet kids learned (again) that you really really really love them.