I watched something amazing happen today. My little Grace gently and gracefully taught me something. Today she finished six amazing years of elementary school. And she did it, as she does everything these days, gracefully.
Grace and I have been at our school together for the past six years. She started in my kindergarten class. She has worked quietly and steadily all those years - gaining confidence with each passing one. Grace doesn’t attract a lot of attention and typically stays under the radar. What she does is work hard and care about the people around her. She loves her teachers and her principal. Grace never expects anything from anyone. She’s honest, straightforward and sincere.
Awards are given out at our school monthly during assemblies for kids who demonstrate certain character traits. When Grace was in my kindergarten class I purposely didn’t pick her for this, not wanting it to look like I was favoring her. She never minded. She just cheered for her friends. First grade came and went and she still was never chosen. Grace still never seemed to mind. Second grade, third grade, fourth grade all came and went. Grace had still never received a single recognition for character traits. I would notice some children’s names being called repeatedly over the years and wonder if she, or other children who were not being picked noticed. But Grace simply continued to be Grace. Amazing, kind, hard working Grace.
Fifth grade came and it seemed to be the same story. Never picked. I watched my girl never miss a single homework or class assignment all year. I watched her care diligently about and for another child in her class who is disabled. I watched her push herself to try running club despite it being something that she was truly afraid to do. I watched in awe as my child went off to camp for two nights with her class despite fears of unknown foods and dirty mattresses :). So when Grace was finally chosen for an award I was thrilled.
Every year our school chooses 10 fifth graders to be nominated for something we call the “step up” award. Five girls and five boys who have “stepped up” academically and behaviorally are selected by the staff. Then the top boy and top girl are awarded hand made step stools with their names on them as winners of the step up award.
Today, Grace finally had her moment. During the last assembly of her elementary school career her name was finally called. She was one of the five girls nominated for the step up award. The look on her face was pure joy and surprise. She honestly never expected to be chosen. And why would she? She never had been before. She stood up there with her award certificate waiting for the announcement of the winner with the world’s biggest smile on her face. The happiest girl in the world.
And did she win? No. But my Grace didn’t care one bit. She never expected to in the first place. Thank you for the lesson Miss Grace.
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