DD Warrior Lady

 Last week, as I was standing on afternoon car duty,

A 2^nd grader stopped and said,
“I have something for you, Ms. Deaton,

For being the best music teacher ever.”

She then fumbled through her bookbag and produced a Pokémon card.

Afterward, she mumbled something about someone being mad at her or

Her being mad at someone and

How they didn’t deserve something and

Then she walked away.

I have no idea what she was saying.

 

I have three observations on this event, though:

 

1)      I’m the only music teacher she’s ever had, so I hope I’m the best one 😊. I also hope I deserve the title of best music teacher ever, not because I think I AM the best, but because I try to do my job well and to love all of my students…even the ones who push boundaries and try patience—which, quite honestly, is this girl.

 

2)      I have a feeling that I got a present that day not because she had planned to give ME a present but because the intended recipient of said gift had made her mad. Sometimes, the best gifts are unplanned, spontaneous ones. And sometimes what may have been intended for one purpose is better served as another.  

 

3)      I have no interest in Pokémon cards and don’t really understand them. But the card she gave me was absolutely perfect: DD Warrior Lady. If I’m going to own a Pokémon card, then this is the one I want to own. Deanna Deaton Strong Fighter Trooper Woman.

 

So thank you, dear second grade student who impulsively gave me DD Warrior Lady.

Your gift encouraged and challenged me to be

A better version of myself.

A teacher—

A warrior—

A woman ready for battle…

And every day in the classroom IS a battle.

 

Amen.