"You wanna hang with some kids tomorrow?"
"Yeah?"
Such a simple conversation, but what happened after that was one of the greatest things in my life.
Upon arriving to Broadway Christian Church downtown me and my sister Olivia sat at a table with some boys while they had breakfast. Learned their names (Benjamin and Malipo, brothers who were very nervous about kindergarten). We did this with a few different tables before it was time for large group. Still having no idea what we were going to do, we just sat with some old and new faces and waited.
Kayla and Marcus called group after group, all the leaders and familiar faces were going to small groups. To be honest I was nervous. "Chloe and Olivia" she called. We walked up and they handed us name tags and a few papers. Purple 1-2 would be our group. 1st and 2nd graders. I will never forget our diverse, beautiful, amazing group. Joshua, Brayden, Elijah, Jeremiah, JJ, David, and Rene. Since it was the first day for us it was pretty crazy, so instead of freaking out over if we had all the supplies and when we go where we just... played:D and took a TON of pictures! Before I knew it they stole my heart and ran with it.
Josh and I were inseperable<3 He was the oldest and the leader of the group. So grown up for his age, having to be the adult alot of times...I told him I loved him 100 times a day hugging and gave him a kiss on the head when he would let me, but he never said it back. I didn't expect him too, but on the last day I said "I love you brother." And in the sweetest voice "I love you too Miss Chloe." I had to go to the bathroom and cry a little.
"Mrster. Brayden" as he would write was the baby of the group. Always needed to be carried, had the giggle of an angel. And had a word of the day whether it be "Pink.Pink.Pink.Pink" or "Tall!Tall!Tall!" However, he did have an almost schedualed melt down a few times a day. It took awhile to get him under control, but between Charles, Olivia, and Myself we found out why he did this and how to help him get calmed down. Being such the 'baby' he was all the older kids wanted to hold his hand or carry him around, which of course he loved. He became quite the popular one at Can I Go.
JJ. Ohh JJ! She was the dramatic one, and our only girl for that matter..! She was just as, maybe even tougher than the boys in Purple 1-2. She cracked us up, and liked to test our patience alot of times. She took to Brayden like he was her little brother. I found her crying in a corner one day and I was asking her what happend. After getting a tissue and just taking a breather she finally told me her boyfriend broke up with her last night?! Yeah... she a new one by the next day apparently. Thats my JJ!
"Hello my name is Rene!" was the greeting we got from this loopy little kid. His favorite colors were purple and pink. And he made sure you knew it, along with sparkles. He asked Olivia every day 'Can I be in your group?" and she would just laugh and say "Rene you ARE in my group!" He was in love with Charles aka Charlie. Asked to go to the water fountian like it was going to run out or something! I love him and is out of the box ways. And to think we thought YOU would be the quiet one... not.
David was the shy quite one, and when he did speak I couldn't understand a word he said! But he was so polite, and loved to help. He told Olivia stories all the time when he did come. Such a sweetie. He also liked to read he told me:)
Jeremiah was straight up a country boy. Played baseball, was covered in poison ivy the whole week and was such a worrier. Raising his hand every second with a story that no relavance to the subject. And was just an absolute gentelman already.
Last but not least Elijah. "Anger problems" is what we were told but some laides when you acted out. But really you were just lonely and sad. I saw you in your worst of days, and your better ones. I know how nice and caring you can be, but so many people have already looked down on you, and thats why you are that way. So I challenged you to be the nicest version of yourself one day becasue we KNEW you were a great kid. Thats all it took. And I am so proud of him.
Those kids taught me so many things in 4 short days. But in those days I bonded with not only those 7, but tons more, and I could go on and on about differnt things they did that just make me smile even still to this day. And what if I would have been selfish the day Marcus asked if I wanted to hang out with kids? What if I said no I'm going to the pool, or wow I have to be at your house at 7? Mmm.. not so much. I would have missed out on THE greatest experience ever.
...to be contiued.
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