Yes. She's a Genius

Every Wednesday, I share quality reading time with a spunky, spirited, bright eyed, inquisitive, second grade girl. Her name is Hailey. This is my second year participating in Metro Louisville's Every One Reads Program. Adult volunteers are matched with students ranging from first grade through high school.

My involvement with Every One Reads (E1R) came along at a time I needed it. What? Isn't this program about enriching our children? It absolutely is about helping every child in Kentucky be proficient in reading. E1R has made my life richer. Connecting with young students has filled a void in my life.

A series of events have caught me off guard. Things happen too early. My marriage ended after 10 years. I lost my mother to cancer when she was 51. I ended up being her caretaker in my early 30's. Now, in my 40's, I already have an empty nest. My teenage daughters decided to live with their father. My oldest daughter left me first to live with her father and stepmother at age 13. The girls are two years apart. The youngest was 11 when her sister left. My youngest daughter left me 2 years ago when she was 14. So, here I am with a broken heart filled with hurt and feelings of loss that come with children growing up, being independent, and trying to find their identity. Suddenly, I have a commodity: lots of time on my hands.

I enjoy children. I have many fond memories of the fun activites I did with my girls when they were growing up. I love all babies. All babies are cute. My baby girls were the most adorable babies. As for my concensus on teenagers, I will reflect upon this age group when my daughters are in their 20's.

I first heard about E1R on a t.v. commercial. Then, I heard about it at work. Several people at work volunteer for this program. I learned about E1R at work through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). "The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all." www.opm.gov/cfc Finally, I heard again about E1R through my church. Several parishoners in church are active volunteers with E1R. One Sunday morning during Sunday School, there was a presentation about the E1R program. Finally, I relented to the tugging at my heart and decided to be trained so I too could be an E1R volunteer.

My first student two years ago was a 7 year old 2nd grader named Henry. I was kind of nervous about our first meeting. I wondered if I could relate well with a little boy. I spent most of my time with girls. When my daughters lived under my roof, we were active in Girl Scouts. I was a Troop Leader. I had lots of fun with the girls and women in Girl Scouts. Before I became a mother, I grew up in a household of women. My mother divorced my father when I was very young. My mother raised three girls. My mother told me the history of our family and girls by far out numbered the boys. Ergo, my well founded concerns on whether I could connect with a little boy.

Henry was a shy, bright eyed, energetic, eager, full of wonder, polite child. He talked with a slight lisp. I enjoyed watching Henry transform from an insecure to a confident reader. I learned a lot about Henry. Henry and I shared many things in common. What did a middle age woman have in common with a seven year old boy? A love of Star Wars, snow, Winnie the Pooh,and a love of learning.

Hailey is a talkative, outgoing, sociable, active, girl with a lot of personality. She is confident and definite about herself. Look out world. I'm convinced I tutoring a genius. This middle aged woman also has plenty in common with a feisty seven year old girl. For instance, we both like headbands, puppies, Girl Scouts, ice cream, and a love of learning. Hailey tells me definitely, "I am good in science. I would make a great scientist." To her statement, I reply, "Yes, you would because you are smart."

My broken heart continues to mend each and every day as I recieve the benefits from spending a little quality time with precious children.(click on the title "Yes. She's a Genius" for a special link).