I do not know when this
super power first came to me, but I am pretty sure it doesn’t have anything to
do with kryptonite or chemical experiments. I don’t know how to turn off this
seemingly magnet field, but am completely sure it is a critical part of who I
am. My heart surges, my eyes light up, and, no matter how tired I am, I seem to
just draw kids to me.
Take
today for example. Being a holiday I was invited to a teacher’s house for
kusme, traditional celebratory food for a Saint’s Day. I went with one other
teacher after school. I’ve never been to this teacher’s house and it is in an
area of town I don’t venture into often. It is out of my way from most of my
things. However, I had barely sat down, when an 18 month old in a white puffy
dress waddled over with big brown eyes. She isn’t at an age to speak, but has
mastered the customary raising of eyebrows and head for “yes.” It didn’t take
long for her to be sitting in my lap. Soon her identical twin sister
materialized near my elbow. I have never seen these two beautiful girls before,
yet it doesn’t take much more than eye contact for them to come up to me.
This
is not a one-time occurrence.
I’ve
had a kid come up and purposely sit in my lap at a wedding in a different town.
Kids always seem to be yelling “Josie” wherever I go, even out to villages in
all directions. I’ve made more folded paper cootie catchers on buses here than
anywhere else in my whole life. Last weekend while waiting for a volleyball game
to start in a town about an hour away, I soon had a group of kids telling me
about their school and wanting to try to do exploding fist bumps for the first
time. And that is just some of the times that have happened in Ethiopia.
Some
days I roll my eyes and wish I could just walk a block being invisible. But
most days I just have to smile and realize that this power also gives me great
joy. Joy in remembering children’s innocent, complete trust as they leap off
sidewalks to be caught and twirled. Joy that I may not have made any difference
in the classroom, but at least some kids still think I am fun. Happiness from
their laughter is contagious to instantly make me feel better. Comfort that I
am not alone.
Other
teachers laugh too as kids come padding towards me with wide arms for twirls or
booooshes (fist bumps). Some comment that they have lived in town much longer
than me and none of the kids know their names. Others mention that I am famous
and known everywhere. Still others attribute it solely to my white skin.
I
just shrug and let them in on a little secret: Magnets attract to each other. I
am one part of the magnet and the kids are another. Together we just kind of
come together. They bring happiness and joy. They may have their obnoxious,
rude, tiring moments, but they also ask the best questions, radiate with
gratitude and know how to see joy in the little moments. I just hope that I can
do the same and as long as their eyes continue to light up when they see me,
I’ll be happy for my little super gift.
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