A Gift for Annie
As the children noisily entered the classroom, I overheard bits of animated conversation about last night’s Valentine’s Day celebrations. Students were showing each other their new heart pencils, rings, and other Valentine trinkets.
“O.K., everyone! Let’s come to the circle for sharing time!” I called to my class as the day got underway. The students quickly came to the carpeted area, anxious for the opportunity to share with one another.
“Can we share about what we got for Valentine’s Day?” asked Sharina excitedly. The children nodded in agreement and started buzzing about the special treats they received from their friends and family.
“Since everyone seems to have something to share today, we will go around the circle and each of you may tell one small thing about your Valentine’s Day,” I directed, as the students quieted down in anticipation of their chance to be in the limelight.
“Sharina, you may go first since you came up with the idea,” I offered.
“Well, my mom gave me this heart necklace. Seeee, it has real purple jewels. It was very expensive,” Sharina bragged as she held out her necklace for all to see.
Jose’, who was next, grinned and said, “My abuela gave me a heart shaped box of candy.”
Tabitha was next. She described the little gorilla holding a heart pillow that she got from her daddy. I noticed that Annie’s face was sad as she listened to the other children. When it was her turn, she dropped her chin down and sat quietly.
“Would you like to share anything, Annie?” I gently prodded.
“No, I pass,” she answered quickly as she diverted everyone’s gaze. She seemed close to tears. At that moment, I wished that I had had enough foresight to realize that for some children, Valentine’s Day was not filled with tokens of love.
After everyone shared and the children went to their seats, Annie lingered near me and whispered, “Am I the only one who didn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day?”
The only thing I could think to say was, “Oh, Annie,” as I put my arm around her and hugged her against my side. When I got a chance, I took a peak into my prize box to see if there was anything I could give to Annie. In the bottom of the box, I found a little beaded bracelet with a small heart clasp- the perfect gift for a little girl on Valentine’s Day.
Later that morning when the other children were going out to recess, I asked Annie to stay back with me for a few minutes.
“Annie, I’m sorry that you didn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day,” I told her.
“My step-mom got my sisters some candy and a stuffed animal. She said that I wasn’t here real daughter, so she didn’t get me anything. I’m my dad’s real daughter, but he didn’t get me anything, either,” Annie confided. “My real mom would have got me something,” she added as a mater-of-fact. I knew Annie’s mother was in and out of prison for drug charges. I also knew that she had not seen Annie since she was about four years old. Annie preferred to talk about her mother as being sick, and although she wanted to, she could not take care of her.
I held out the bracelet to Annie. “You know, I always wished that I had a little girl to buy pretty things like this for her. I thought of you when I saw it. Can I give it to you since I have no daughter of my own?” I asked tentatively, not knowing how Annie would take to these words. “I am sorry that anyone made you feel like they don’t like you. I sure like you.”
Annie took the bracelet and asked in surprise, “You want to give this to me?”
“Yes, I want you to have it.” I assured her.
Annie hugged me without reserve and said, “I wish you were my mom!” She pulled back quickly and with happy eyes said, “I’m going out to show this to Sarah. She’s my best friend, you know!” With that, Annie ran toward the door. At the doorway, she stopped and looked back. “Mrs. B, I love you!”
“I love you too, Annie.”