March 13th Going Home

Stop Kicking The Ball!

Friday at About 3:27

   I’m rushing out to Parent Pick-Up. Halfway between my room and the gate, I see a basketball on the ground and quickly scoop it up and roll it towards Heather’s side of the Portable.    

   Really don’t want any sort of playground equipment ping-ponging towards the buses. If it got to there, that would be a safety hazard as heedless kids ran after it. 

   Moments after I turn back to the front, said ball goes zinging past me. In that .5 second, my choices were to turn around to see which 5th grader looks guilty OR go chasing after it before it reaches the crowds at the bottom of the stairs. I chase. And spend the next 5-10 seconds (probably the former it really felt like the latter) fast walking after it. (Please imagine the Benny Hill song at this point. Heightens the experience.) 

   And twice I had the #$&ing ball within my gasp before some clueless twit, not seeing the Crazy Man behind them, would nudge it along. Or maybe they did. Pretty sure I looked ridiculous. 

   After the second time, I stood up and in my loudest MR. Hardy Voice, 

 “ Do! Not! Kick! The! Ball!!” 

  Like a drop of soap dropped into a cup of pepper, there was suddenly a clear 5’ radius around the ball. Ball? What ball? 

   Looking really unhappy for a Friday afternoon, I swoop in and pick it up, giving the kids around me The Look. Strangely, nobody is looking in my direction. 

   But I do notice Ms. Knapp speaking with a little girl, both of whom are casting furtive looks in my direction. Leah is encouraging the girl approach me. Taking a cleansing breath, I apply a smile and turn towards them. 

   Leah tells me, “X wants to tell you..” and then X says, “ Sorry I kicked the ball.” 

   Being the Highly Trained Professional, I thanked her for her apology and told her not to worry about it. Off she goes. 

Patience is so important in this job; whether you have it like Leah, or can fake it like me. 

  I have already written Ms. Knapp a thank you card.