Notes From Public School - Day 84

Kids at my elementary school are drawing and coloring pictures of whales for me.

These whales are swimming around an ocean one of my students from Honduras created for me.

It’s humbling to me that these kids listen to my life, hear that I love whales, think, “I’m going to create a picture of a whale in the ocean for Mr. Barton,” (or I’m going to create an ocean for Mr. Barton”) and spend the time and the effort to make such beautiful things.

A blue whale’s heart is the size of a Volkswagen.

Such are the hearts of these kids.

Such is the heart of my Honduran student.

Now, as the school day comes to an end, and I sit quietly in my rocking chair in my classroom, I remember these kids.

I remember my student.

I remember all of the kids in my little elementary school on the West side of Greenville.

Especially the ones who came here from far away with their families seeking una vida mejor, a better life.

I remember all of the kids in South Carolina.

I remember all of the kids in the USA.

I remember all of the kids in Honduras.

I remember all of the kids in the world.

Listen to their lives.

Hear who they are and what they love.

Create something beautiful for them.