It’s a beautiful day

For Smiles and Frowns

Won’t you share

Your ups and downs

Won’t you share

We all care

Won’t you share

Your story.

My kids and I sing this song every day. Fashioned after my hero Mr. Rogers’ famous song, we start our daily ritual of Smiles and Frowns with this tune. Even when I am gone, the kids sing the song and do Smiles and Frowns.

It is our no-matter-what ritual. It’s how we connect. There’s nothing more important in our day.

I have often gushed about Smiles and Frowns here and elsewhere, claiming it is the best decision I have ever made as a teacher, sharing the magic we’ve found in our moments together.

Earlier this week, we had such a moment during 3rd period.

I have had the honor of experiencing many such moments when kiddos share for the first time. If you were there, you’d think that maybe someone had won a grand prize, for there is truly an eruption–a moment of joy.

This particular young lady never even talks in class. She doesn’t even say, “pass,” during Smiles and Frowns. She just shakes her head, “no.” And I expected just that as we made our way around the room that day. In fact, I almost cut her off as I went to call on the next kiddo, when we heard loudly and clearly, “We got a new house.” And after a second of stunned silence, we made clear our excitement with a raucous cheer.

And then, we continued on as normal, not wanting to call too much attention to her as she blushed red from our over-the-top enthusiasm. Magic moments don’t need to play out for long; they just need to play out, and here, all that mattered was the moment, which will endure long in our memory. That’s the magic.

It was beautiful day for her. It was beautiful day for us. For the rest of the week, she passed with the shake of her head, and that’s okay. There’s a certain beauty in that, too, a certain comfort in the routine of our daily ritual.

Happy Sunday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.