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TITLE: Never Too Old to Be a Mom 5/13/18
By LaVonne Wood
05/13/18
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Hoping to send this to Chicken Soup for the Soul books, so give it to me straight!
Seven-thirty in the morning, I open the pre-school doors, turns on lights, empty the dishwasher, and start preparing the morning snack for thirteen children. Sixty-two years old and I still wonder why the Lord chose now to give me this job. Even though I finished my CDA classes last year and received a certificate, I still feel inadequate to teach these young three, four, and five year old children. Thankfully, I am just an assistant to Ms. Natalie.

Ms. Natalie walks in a few minutes later and begins preparing the classroom. Kids start arriving, one, two, even three at a time; some eager to start the day, others wanting to go back home with moms. Ms. Natalie seems to have a knack for encouraging them to come and listen to the story she is now reading.

While she finishes reading and starts the morning sing-a-long, I grab two kids to help set the tables. I could do it faster and easier myself, I am thinking, but I know it is all a part of teaching kids to help themselves and help others. With tables set, they join the others in song. Next, the children listen to the morning story, read again by Ms. Natalie.

One young boy slips up onto my lap and leans back into my chest. Another snuggles close to my side as I put my arms around his waist. It amazes me how trusting and loving these children are. There is a warm sense of bonding developing among us.

Next comes potty time and then snacks. Oops, there goes a glass of milk on the floor.
“It’s OK, accidents happen. Just help me clean it up,” I said, as I get some paper towels.

“Billy, will you sit down please!”

“Mary, what are your kind words when you want us to pass something?”

“Terry, where are you going?”

It is a constant battle to get the kids to listen and learn. However, that is what we do all day long. I hurry to put the dishes in the dishwasher so I can help with the art class Ms. Natalie has already started. The day seems so rushed with all the activities Natalie has planned to accomplish by recess time.

Sometimes recess gives me a little breathing time as I watch them play, but not today. The kids want me to play tag with them. My legs are getting tired as we run around the playground. I struggle to catch up, yet am thrilled to hear them giggle as I tap one of their shoulders. Gotcha! You're it!

The day goes by quickly with little fights to break up, several accidents to clean up, and hugs to give to kids getting tired. I thank the Lord for helping me though another day.

At home now, the end of a long day, I sit in my comfy' soft chair to rest my acing body. I open my Bible and begin to read. “Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman… Isaiah 54:1. As a tear roles down my face I say, Thank you Lord for giving me all these thirteen children to love!
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