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Anonymous Extraordinary-It's The Little Stuff That Matters


This is the second year of being interviewed for the 9th grade English class in our community.   An amazing English teacher started this project last year and then passed it on to the new teacher when she moved.  Wondering if she, Mrs. Helzer, knows the fruit growing from the seedling she left behind?!

This year three young people have interviewed me.  What I find absolutely fascinating are what they have noticed me for.  

What these three students noticed in me...are little things that I would never have claimed as "doing anything" important.  Trust me I'm not in any way, shape or form an extraordinary anything. 

 I really think that is the point of the class.  

Giving the students an opportunity to find out for themselves that being a "Local Anonymous Extraordinary" is all about the little things.   Something that we can all do.

This is why they picked me:

"She helps the wrestling team and makes sure we all eat.  She takes time out of her week to help troubled teens when they need help.  She volunteers to do fun activities that teenagers can enjoy.  She works at church.  She likes kids.  She cheers us on.  She loves her family."

With wrinkled brow,  I thought about their perceptions and just to clarify, I'm not an "official helper" of anything on the wrestling team and it is not I who packs lunches and snacks. 

 But I mother them all (which I thought drove them nuts) and make sure they are drinking and have something to eat.  I check on them and pat them on the back and scream bloody murder when they are on the mat.  I lecture, push and prod.  If they are not going all out, I give them what for!  I make them pick up trash and threaten to wash their mouths out.

You know what I think it is? 

 I believe in each and every one of them and am fully involved.  And you know what, it didn't take money or policy or program or plan...

Remember the lock in that I blogged about?  That is what they remember as well.

Or the messy room at church where I'm just putting one foot in front of the other and tend to feel like a failure...

 Kids are watching our actions and what is and is not important to us.  These little mundane and routine and seemingly unimportant things can GREATLY impact our community.

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