Happy Teacher's Day!

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One of the few things in this life I am really proud of and happy about, is that I am a teacher.

To celebrate my day, and your day, I want to share this story with you. This lovely piece is published in Chicken Soup for the teacher's Soul, that Karina Gimenez has kindly lent me. Thank you Kari!

We might not feel identified with the whole of the piece, and that is fine. Because I am sure that we will all feel identified with at least one little bit of it, and - trust me on this one - a little bit of this, means a lot!

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY TO ALL!

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So long!

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Yours are the Hands

by Julie Sykes

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Yours are the hands that brushed my hair from my eyes when I was in kindergarten. You reassured me, comforted me and made me feel that being away from Mom wasn't so bad after all.

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Yours are the hands that clapped to get my attention in first grade. You let me know there was work to be done, as well as time to play in this all-day school. You taught me discipline, fairness and patience, still allowing me to be creative and inventive.

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Yours are the hands that showed me how to wrap a May Pole in second grade and make a tissue paper carnation corsage that made my mom cry tears of joy. She still keeps that delicate corsage today.

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Yours are the hands that introduced me to geography in third grade by sharing your stories of travel and adventure. You gave me the desire to learn more about other lands and their people. You made my world bigger.

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Yours are the hands that made the numbers come alive in fourth grade. You shared your passion for math and helped me see that math is used in every single part of our lives. You challenged me and made me think harder.

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Yours are the hands that showed me technology was a fast train that I should jump aboard in fifth grade. You taught me that the computer was user-friendly and showed me the new age of technology. You showed me my future was indeed going to hold this need.

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Yes, throughout my education, yours are the hands that held and patted mine in times of trouble; that wiped the tears when I thought the world was against me; that clapped as loud as my parents when I won the Good Citizen of the Month award; that shook the finger to scold me when I was throwing dirt on the playground; that snapped, waved and directed me in the music presentations of the school plays; that placed the bandage on my scuffed knee; that handed me a "Happy Birthday" ribbon on my special day; and that raised a finger to your lips to ever so quietly remind me that the library was a quiet place.

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Yours are the hands that now shake mine, wish me luck, and point me onward to the next level of my education. Thank you. Thank you for helping me mold my future and caring as you did all these years, for yours are the hands that will touch my life forever.

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