Awards

My favorite 4th grader made me so proud today. At a school assembly, she was among a group of kids that got awards. Hers was for grades, homework accomplishments, and citizenship...cooperation, obedience, pleasantness, lots of positive things that basically mean not being a pain for the teacher. That is the type of kid she is at home too, unless, of course, you are trying to brush her hair.

I learned a lot of valuable lessons by being there in her world.

First, this is not just the place where she goes so I don't have to babysit. This is her life! These are the friends, teachers, and other adults, who will influence her development. It's the same realization I always got when I went to Papa's work and saw how valued and respected he was. This wasn't just the guy who left his socks in a wad on the floor and backseat nagged me if I drove him somewhere. Seeing your loved one in their daily environment that you normally don't see, really brings about a refreshing new attitude of appreciation.

I learned that this is a good school and was impressed by how many students got awards and were serious about school. It was pleasantly surprising to see how many parents were there...lots of grandparents and dads in overalls, having come straight from the body shop or wherever.

I have a gramma's old-fashioned ideas...I thought she ought to wear something special for this ceremony. She argued. I got offended, but gave in. But when I got there, I realized she knew what she was talking about. Nobody was dressed special or fancy for this. If I had insisted on getting my way, she would have stood out like a sore thumb and been awfully embarrassed. Gramma will now listen better and realize she has reasons for her opinions. She will get more even respect from me because of today.

Also, I now have faces for some of the names of friends she's told me about. But the best thing about that was that those names were up there with her, getting awards. They are good kids, polite and obedient, well-behaved. It proved to me that she chooses good friends and uses good judgement.

So tonight I am one happy and proud gramma. There's going to be something to write about tomorrow, too, because there will be yet another awards ceremony, same time, same place, and Megan will be receiving yet another one!