Lessons From A Paper Angel

   For years and years, I volunteered to teach art and crafts at the local elementary school.  Art classes were often deemed as unnecessary so no teachers were hired to do the job.  Art is necessary.  In fact, if you really think about it, art is just as important as a lot of the required classes that are taught.  Teaching kids to be creative has been proven to increase their overall learning capabilities so art can spill over into all learning.  Anyway, I made a feeble attempt to instill the love of creating in a bunch of kids just because there was a need.  We learned a good bit about the art techniques, the art masters and how art can be applied in most every career.  The kids loved it as did I.  Occasionally, we did crafting.  This was usually some "recycled" art since art supplies were pretty much nonexistent.  It kept me on my toes to find new and interesting things to keep the kids learning.  

  Today, the memories came flowing back.  One of the former students came by the house.  Even though he is a grown man now, he still shows the respect that was learned in grade school.  As I was talking with him, I hung a paper angel on the Christmas Tree. "Hey! I remember those angels!" he exclaimed.  "I am not sure I remember HOW to make them but I remember making them!"  Wow!  That impressed me!  Then he went on reminiscing of those classes some twenty-five years ago.  We talked for a good while before he made the remark "I use a lot of the things you taught me at work.  I am always having to find ways of doing things that involve creative methods.  I did not learn that in any of my other classes during school.  You taught us how to think outside the box.  That sure has come in handy." Again, I was impressed and humbled.  In just a few words and a couple of minutes, this young man made me feel like I had accomplished something great.  He made me feel that what I did made a difference.  

  I gently straightened the paper angel's wings and thought of how she was still bringing joy after all these years and how she was a reminder of so many happy times.  Chris left me with a renewed spirit and a bolstered self worth.  Life is good.