Rio’s school has these Parent Teacher Learning Groups. They’re like little conciousness raising groups on various topics, and are one of the big things I love about her school. You can form a group about anything: knitting, diversity, stress management.
This year I’m in a group focused on activism. Our big activity for the year: a clothing swap. Any long time reader of this blog knows I love me some clothing swaps. So.
We had our clothing swap last week and it was a TRIUMPH. People brought mountains of clothes. They took clothes away. They nodded appreciatively when I explained why this was a swap and not a fundraiser (because we believe everyone has something to give, and everyone has a need, and this is a good way to express both).
I scored a few items, including a skirt I’ve worn twice since the swap. But this isn’t about me. It’s about The Boots.
The Boots appeared in one of the boxes of shoes Rio was unpacking while she helped do set up the night before the swap. They are knee high black leather, with straps and pockets and lots of sassy detail. They are well made and in great condition. They are a little big for her, but not so big that she can’t wear them comfortably.
She fell in love with these boots. Of course she did.
I would not let her have them.
I told her we were setting up, and it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids to let her have first pick of everything, and that the boots were not mine to give until the swap opened at 8 a.m. the next day. I was very fair, and not necessarily right.
To help her out, I signed up for the early shift at the swap, so that I’d be there half an hour before the event started. I figured I could grab them for her if no one else got to them first.
Guess who was up and dressed at 6:30 a.m., ready to go to school and help out some more if it meant getting first crack at those shoes?
All of us, because her enthusiasm was infectious.
When we got to the school, though, we found that the boots had been moved. Rio’s teacher, who we think is the Platonic Ideal of elementary school teachers, had scooped them up and saved them for her, as a reward for all her hard work.
Which is better than me bending the rules on her behalf, and better than just getting lucky. It is the best. You’d think those fancy boots had wings; Rio flew through the day as soon as she put them on. She’s been floating ever since.
Today, she and her dad got a shoe polish kit and lovingly polished them, which made sense since these boots were built to last. They are the first really high quality shoes she has had, and I have no doubt that 20 years from now, she’ll remember these boots and the teacher who gave them to her.
Thanks, Maggie!
Related posts:
