When people ask me what my favorite holiday is, I always respond, “Christmas, of course.” They almost always assume I like Christmas because of all the presents and candy. But presents and candy are not the reason. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it’s one of the few times of the year that I get to see my entire family (especially now since we’re almost all in the college years). I can still remember my excited little 6-year-old hands unbuckling my seat belt when we pulled up at my grandparents’ house and my older cousins were there.
My older cousins were the best. They would play with me, go to different places with me, bring me presents or candy, watch movies with me and let me listen to their four CD collection of Disney songs (Best cousins ever!). As I grew older, I really appreciated everything that my cousins did for me.
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There is a group of children whom I have known for almost four years. I've babysat some of them, helped them with homework and essays (benefit of being an English major), played games and watched movies with them. I’ve seen some of these kids start kindergarten (and promote to first grade), middle school and high school. I’ve become close with these kids.
When I starting watching these kids, I thought I was going to make an impact on their lives like my cousins did for me. But I realize now, these children are making a huge impact on my life.
These children have taught me so much. They’ve showed me the importance of being responsible and patient. These children have taught me how important it is to listen attentively and sincerely as they share their feelings with me. They’ve showed me that I can overcome my own fears if it will keep them safe and/or not afraid (like squashing a spider that’s coming toward the kids).
If you ever have the chance to watch children, even if it’s only for a little bit, I strongly encourage you to go for it. You will discover so much about yourself and you will have a chance to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
These munchkins mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment I get to spend with them. Spending time with children is not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
