Coincidence? I think not.

Many of you might remember that my darling sister (who happily drags me to every Goodwill, Thrift Shop and yard sale in the New England area) is partially deaf. She has been her entire life- the result of our mother contracting German Measles during her pregnancy. Frankly, we’re sick of her whining about it- and have never really acknowledged the fact that she’s deaf except perhaps that ONE time it got us front row tickets to A Chorus Line. (Who loves you K?) Sure, it was here on campus in Oregon, but STILL.

This particular fact will become important at the end of today’s lesson.

Our kindergarten classrooms this year at John Smith Elementary School are unusually LARGE. All four of us are maxed out at a billion, and have been since day one. Unfortunately this means that any family that might move into this Oregon college town during the school year might have to be bussed to one of the other seven elementary schools here in town.

One particular afternoon in October, my principal walked into my room. She looked unsure, as if perhaps she wasn’t going to speak, but then sat on a table and smiled.

“I know that your K classes are all full, and I know that you have more than the other three classes, but I was wondering something,” she asked me.

“We have a new family coming, and they have a boy in kindergarten. You really don’t have to say yes, and I am not pressuring you in ANY way, but I just thought I’d ask you about it. What do you think?”

I looked at her, and thought for a minute. I DID have a huge class; four of whom didn’t speak English; and I was on my own (Yep- teaching ALONE) for the first time in 13 years without a student teacher. However, my class was AWESOME, and I was loving every single minute of it. I also knew there were some challenges in the other rooms.

Then, I had a weird inkling – just a feeling, if you will.

“Yes.” I said. “Of course I’ll take him! The more the merrier. And besides, if his siblings will be here, it just wouldn’t be right to send him over to Wesson Elementary. Yeah. I will definitely take him. What’s one MORE active boy?”

One week later I was called to the office to greet my new charge. I walked into the office and saw an adorable, sort of nervous fella waiting to meet his teacher.

After the introductions were made, I suggested he give his mom a hug and send her on her way – “We’ve got some fun to get to!” I said.

He turned to give his mom a hug and I was startled. There, hugging his ear, was a hearing aide.

The same kind my sister wears.

Some things are just meant to be.