February 23, 2013

• How Do You Lead?

    "Can I have your heart this week?"

    "No.  It's my turn.  I asked for it last week remember?"

    "Oh yeah, that's right, you did."

    "Can I be on your waiting list Mrs. H?"

    This is one of many conversations that has gone on about my heart.  Oh...I suppose it's important here to tell you that the heart that is being requested is a sterling silver heart that I wear on a long silver chain.  On September 11, 2001, I put it on and have worn it every day since.  I wear it to remind me of the loss of people I never met, but whose lives affected me in a tremendous way.  I also wear it to be my "touch stone" reminder to come from a place in my heart before judging, responding, or over reacting to life and it's events.

    When I first started volunteering at Miss A and Hoop's school, the little girls and some of the boys asked about it.

    "Is that a locket?"

    "No. It is one solid piece."

    "I bet I could open it for you."

    "It doesn't open."

    "Can I try?"

    "Sure."  I handed it over to the child as I had done many times so they could prove to themselves that it just won't open. 

    "My mom has one that's a locket."

    "Oh really?"

    "Why do you wear it every day?"

    "Well..I like to remember to speak and think from my heart and this heart is my reminder."

    "Can I wear it?"

    "Sure."

    They each wear it, and not one child over the three years has got into trouble with the teacher for not paying attention to their work.  They wear it quietly and proudly.  Each new school year a few new children get on the waiting list to wear it.  Everyone who wants to wear it has had their turn.  Amazingly, they always remember to get it back to me even when I've started out the door without it.

  I wrote this in the Spring of 2009.  These preteens are now getting ready to go on to the seventh grade.  I still wear the heart and it still reminds me to stay grounded in my heart and has also been an opening for many conversations with adults about living life from the heart, mind, spirit and inner strength. Last week I took the class of 2012 out to the garden to take a class picture. They don't ask to wear my heart anymore, but I've heard them remark to each other about it. 

  "Remember Mrs. H's heart?"

  "I loved it." 

  They still treat me like I'm no stranger as we spent so much time together when they were younger.  They smile and wave in the hallways as they pass me at the school.  With my daughter leaving this June, I'll be going too.  Three children, nine years later and my heart still leads me home.

  We build as we go.

    "Oh Mrs. H!"

    "Yes?"

    "Don't forget your heart!"

  

  (pats heart  and points to you)

   

  • 1:22 pm
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