there is nothing more artistic then to love.
i'm up with the sun.
my sister in law caitlin has put out my favourite type of yogurt & muffins.
i indulge.
in the last 5 months, i have fallen in love with the thought of teaching school.
& yesterday Riki Sue, ya that curly blonde girl that is REALLY fun to be around, she asked me to teach her class.
I replied with a fast and excited YES.
The drive down the 507 was cold, but the mountains, reflecting the sun, distracted me from my shivers.
the tiny key unlocks the door into a different world.
A world of children.
A world of learning.
The classroom is still sleeping, the desks empty and quiet. The darkness seeping. Waiting patiently for the smiling faces.
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They called me Miss Jessi. I felt like I was pretending to be a teacher. I guess I kind of was… because being a substitute isn’t counted.
Heads put together figuring out the investigation in math. Pencils in mouths. Dramatically sharpened pencils.
I sit behind that big wooden desk & smile. Children plus learning plus ya just everything. My heart is happy.
Today is Friday. Which means ART. Tiny brown hands clap loud. Sparkling eyes with excitement.
Paint is quickly scattered across paper, constructing messes of sunsets & birds. Words are smeared upon oceans of blue.
This young art.
This beautiful innocent art.
Dismissal bells ring before my heart beckons the day to end. Shining eyes look up into mine, skinny arms tight around me.
Thanks for teaching us they say, & then they are gone, running to their mothers. Braids behind in the wind, backpacks bouncing.
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After school my little cousins, Ainsley, abby, & mason, jump into my truck & we drive to the kids I babysit. They are staying at their Grandpas because their house burnt down. NOT when I was there. Thank you Jesus. Beau Sam throws his arms around my neck. His 4 year old self is big for is age. The little cowboy thinks he’s 20. I’m holding him and he looks in the mirror & says, “Jessi I’m almost as big as you!”. He is precious.
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Iv been away from Fishburn for over 12 hours now. I’m missing it. We bump over the bridge & the kids are already begging to ‘go play with the horses’ my heart is right there with theirs. So we change into jeans, then hand in hand we walk slowly to the herd. Theres a little bit of fear is masons eyes, but the wonder. Of being so close to these big animals. Their breathe tickling the kids cheeks, they giggle. I can’t help smiling, seeing little hearts experience my life as a treat, not a life. Maybe I do take my life for granted. We lose track of time, playing with the horses, giving hugs, sitting on their backs, breathing in. The sun sinks lower behind spread-eagle peak & we walk away. Some of the equines follow, wanting more love. We have it buddy. But we need to feed the cows.
The calves come running, ceriuos why jessi has three noisy friends with her. Forking them hay. Admiring furry heads.
some calves are out, rubber boots slide across the frozen creek. I whistle to my dog & we stand quiet. Watching Shasta bring the calves back. She deserves a pat on the head. Plus way more.
A quick exhausting game of tag on the bales. Breathing heavy. Watching the moon & stars, we are happy together. We are happy on this ranch.
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Enchiladas. Pictionary. Dakota & Judson. P.s. judson broke his arm yesterday.
Us kids go back outside after supper. The moon calling us to come play. The air is dead calm & the stars brightly freckling the sky.
We run up the driving, laughing & talking all the way. Rosy cheeks & cold toes.
Laying on our backs on the grass & finding constellations, Dakota & mason sneak away & try to scare us.
This life.
These cousins.
These memories, that I NEVER want to forget.
we say goodbye to the evening with Ice-cream & chocolate sauce around the island.
& as I get into my bed I pray, that us toews kids will never forget this stage of our life. These evenings that were 100% quality.
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