Hope

I am going to call "Someone Else's Child" Hope.

Hope is one of my favourite words in the English language. If I had a daughter, I would have named her Hope for sure. Since I don't have that opportunity, I am going to use it as a pseudonym for this little girl.

Hope and I had 3 reading sessions so far and it has been a lot of fun. The third session, we started talking about all the programs she does after school. It is amazing how much time kids spend in programs after school. Considering that school itself is about 7-8 hours, that's a lot of time! Hope has 4 or 5 programs she does including reading with me. So, I asked her the most natural and curious question - What does she enjoy the most?!

Without even thinking, Hope replied, "School! I love school the most!"

Then, she paused, looked at me and continued, "You look a little sad… I like reading with you, but I like school the most."

I am always blown away by how honest kids can be, but I was also touched by her sensitivity towards my feelings. I must have looked a little sad!

So, I assured her that I am happy with her answer. Since she spends the most time at school, I am glad that she enjoys school the most!

She reminded me of myself as a little girl. I was in love with school. The only way my dad would get me to drink milk, that I disliked drinking very much, was by threatening to keep me home and not send me to school! And I would drink milk grudgingly through tears and sobs, but I would make sure I got to school!

Even now, I am the happiest when I am at school, any school. Schools represent places of learning and I know there is no end to learning. And I also know I have a lot to learn!

I hope the boys have inherited this love for learning. There are days I worry when they want to stay home and not go to school. I wonder if the hospital sent me home with the wrong babies?! Alright boys! Momley is just kidding. But I sure hope you go far in your learning.