This was my second week back at the preschool after returning to Minnesota. As always, it's a transition switching from homeless adults at the Day Center to homeless kids at the shelter.
Having been away for three months, I came back to a new teacher, a rearranged classroom staff and a new set of children. The changes make it fun, and although I always miss the kids, turnover is what this place is about. You just hope they land in a better place.
Today, I briefly saw "D" who graduated to kindergarten last year. He was one of my all-time favorites, and seeing him walking confidently with his mom provided a boost to my day. I try to envision all the kids doing well but rarely have a chance to find out what happens to them.
I also got a chance to unreel some of my old routines as if they are new, and today a couple girls taught me a new game — a sort of monkey-see, monkey-do. They would strike a yoga pose or acrobatic trick and I'd have to be able to imitate it. If I couldn't, they'd win. Most of the fun, I guess, is getting an old man to follow their directions, but their challenge is to invent new moves in a continuous flow. Beyond directing the moves, they have the power in the game, because they can always put me away with a cartwheel or the splits.
One of the new boys this week came up to me in the chaos of play time and said something like: "Ah medu use a senility." It's hard hearing with all the voices going at once, so I asked him to repeat. He tried again and again, but I wasn't getting it, until he said "I gotta pee."
Usually we're trying to tone down the talk and aggressive behavior around here, but this sweet kid was at a disadvantage for asking to "use the facilities."
