Moses

Moses is one of my favorite students, perhaps even on the short list of all time favorites. He's smart and enthusiastic and eager and totally out-of-control all day long. He never remembers to raise his hand (until asked numerous times) and he shouts out off-the-wall questions. All. Day. Long.

I knew that today would be one of his more interesting days when he entered the classroom with a Puff the Magic Dragon picture book. He was singing along with it, loudly and enthusiastically. The other students immediately, in unison, swiveled their heads toward me with widened eyes and open mouths. Written on all of their faces was the mute plea, "Please, save us!" I laughed and then they laughed. And Moses finally stopped singing after being told to stop half-a-dozen times.

He was the most irrepressible he's ever been. All. Day. Long. But he was (as he always is) so danged cheerful about life, that it's impossible to dislike him or be angry with him. So, I just laugh and enjoy and, sometimes, tell him to put a fist in it (meaning put your fist up to your mouth so you'll stop talking.) One of my co-workers has a student who keeps trying to put her eye out with a pencil. I can live with Moses and enjoy a unique perspective on the world: you can be happy if you choose to be, even when you've suffered a year of loss and change (Moses has) that has rocked your world. IF you choose to, you can forget the pain and look for the happier things in life (Hey, teacher, look at the neat fuzzy seeds I found on the way to school!) He has a special place in my heart.