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April 28, 2005
The Blossom
I had a wonderful experience at a school the other day. I was speaking to a class of second graders about making a difference in other people’s lives. I dared the kids in the class to stand up for those who are being put down and include those who are being left out.
“Have any of you been left out or put down?” I asked.
A little girl named Rachel slowly put up her hand. Rachel was sitting on the side of the class and was all but hidden in her sweater, except for her nose and eyes.
“How did it feel?” I asked.
“It was bad,” she replied.
“Thank you for having the guts to say that,” I said. “You are a real brave person for speaking up. For that I need to give you a hug.”
I went over and hugged her. I could not believe how tiny she was.
“You don’t deserve to be treated like that,” I said. “You are one cool kid.”
I went back to the front of the class and continued speaking. As I spoke and asked the class questions, I noticed Rachel emerging from her sweater like a flower growing out of the ground. She began to sit up and later, she even raised her hand when I asked questions. It was heartwarming to see her pale little face fill with color as she blossomed right in front of me.
After the class was over the teacher told me that Rachel hardly ever asks questions and mostly hides in her sweater.
Today I received an e-mail from Rachel. It made me cry:
Dear Mr. Trevor. Thank you for making me famous. When you visited our school last week you gave me a hug and everyone wanted to be my friend. I felt really happy when they all said I was cool. It was very nice of you to care about me.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia
Posted by trevor at April 28, 2005 08:25 PM
Comments
What a wonderful turn in the road you've given Rachel! A truly life-changing moment for her, I suspect!
Posted by: Nita at April 28, 2005 09:04 PM
It's so great to know that an easy thing to do, like a hug and saying some words, means so much for someone. I bet Rachel will remember your visit for the rest of her life.
Posted by: wynlen at April 29, 2005 03:45 AM
Wow! that is probably the most important thing I will read about this week. Thanks Trevor, I feel better knowing about this.
Posted by: coop at April 29, 2005 08:55 AM
This is beautiful trevor....or shall i say "mr. trevor"?
Have a lovely day!
violette
Posted by: violette at April 29, 2005 09:43 AM
This gave me shivers. How lovely it is to be the one to impact a child's life. I can only hope that as a teacher, I can reach some of my older students on some way.
You have an incredible life and wonderful to read about. I think what you do is an incredible thing!
Posted by: island girl at April 29, 2005 10:50 AM
Dear Mr. Trevor,
Thank you for making my heart happy with every post. When I visited your blog today your words and pictures gave me a hug and I wanted to tell everyone about it. It WAS very nice of you to care about Rachel so beautifully.
(thought I'd borrow the framework from Blossom Rachel - she did such a super job thanking you, I just wanted to follow suit):) Take care...
Posted by: Adrianne at April 29, 2005 01:47 PM
This is such a beautiful story! What a wonderful gift you gave to Rachel! Just a few kind words can make a huge impact.
It reminded me of a little boy I used to teach. He was a little rough around the edges, no doubt due to his unfortunate home life but I did my best to make him feel special. One day when he came to school after several days of being absent, I greeted him with a cheerful, "Hi Scott! We missed you!" He lit up like a Christmas tree! His dad then said, right in front of him, "You don't have to have to lie." Poor little Scott was immediately crushed and it broke my heart. He left the school soon after, but I spent every day I had him in my class trying to make him feel special. I hope that it stuck with him.
Posted by: Lynette at April 29, 2005 06:10 PM
Awesome story, Trevor. I think we forget how easily our words can help build a child's self esteem, and likewise, how quickly they can tear it down.
You're a cool dude, Mr. Trevor. :-)
Posted by: janee at April 29, 2005 06:30 PM
Trevor, I think for what you did...YOU deserve a hug for creating a life-altering experience for that little girl.
Bravo Mr Trevor! :-)
Posted by: kisane at May 2, 2005 04:25 AM
We had a staff meeting at the start of one year warning us about a chid with appalling behavioural difficulties coming to High school. I thought how awful that teachers were expecting bad behaviour -no clean slate for him! I made it my business to know him by sight and I greeted him with "hello handsome" and a lot more nonsense. He behaved wonderfully for me the whole year, just a little praise was like water in a desert.
How wonderful for that little girl to have met you.
Posted by: Gerry at May 2, 2005 07:19 PM