4/26/11

Nothin' but net. (aka Chapter 300 in the Book of Frank.)

I went to work this morning full of great expectation, hope and a thousand prayers.


I reminded myself that each day is a new day, and I had reminded the kids of this as they flew out the door the day before.


The morning went surprising well. Of course, I spent ten minutes before the children arrived frantically scouring the teacher’s lounge for help when I was informed again that my para sub cancelled. Sure, I had a parent coming to my rescue when I sent an email gently requesting help (TEACHER NEEDS HELP OR ELSE!!!) but I was counting on that other body to help me live through centers.


It worked- and an angel from heaven came in from another room to pinch hit for an hour. In addition to helping with centers, she also recorded our lunch orders and took them to the cafeteria. (This tidbit will become important very soon.)


I was in a much better mood by Kid Writing, and even Frank’s antics during Library couldn’t dampen my spirits. After all, there are some “things” that are just a part of each day. (And most of those things involve Frank.)


By the time we went to lunch I was feeling a lot like the woman sliding surprisingly fast down a slippery slope. Again.



We went through the lunch line, and by some cruel twist of fate Sally (the young lady in our room who is the pickiest eater in the universe) was forced to take the turkey sandwich that she did not order in place of the grilled cheese sandwich that she DID order. (I didn’t go down without a fight- but I lost the battle.)


She was in tears by the time we all got back to the room, and sat at the end of a table crying. I followed her back hoping to find some items in our snack closet to ease her pain when Frank walked in behind me.


He placed his tray beside Sally, who was clearly distraught. Her shoulders were hunched, her head was hanging down and tears were falling onto her lunch tray. The tray that contained only the turkey sandwich that she hadn’t ordered.


Frank looked at me, looked at her, looked at me, and then back at her. He looked at his tray and picked up his grilled cheese.


“Do you want mine? I’ll swap ya.”



She looked up, and through her tears nodded and began to smile.



Then, I heard a sound. It started softly, and ended in an incredible round of applause.



Amid the roar, I heard Stanley yell, “ FRANK! YOU’RE THE MAN!!!”



He blushed a deep red, realizing that all of his classmates had witnessed his simple act of kindness. And so had I.




He shoots, he shoots, he shoots and THIS time- he scores.


47 comments:

Bragger said...

Oh Frank..... You make my heart soar. But I don't want to teach you when you get to high school. Thank you.

MANDI said...

That's beautiful. And Frank just made me cry over my morning cuppa. If you happen to be so moved, will you give him an extra pat on the head from me today?

Unknown said...
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Cheryl D. said...

My daughter has Asperger's and similar type of situations can send her into tears. I've seen time and time again, her classmates (oftentimes boys--it doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous) show their generous nature and help her out like Frank helped Sally out! Oftentimes, these sweet boys are the same ones that give their teachers gray hairs!

Very sweet!

Live with Flair said...

I'm actually crying. I love that little Frank. And I love YOU for loving him.

smalltownme said...

Way to go, Frank!

Mellodee said...

Well, there you go! Solid proof that Frank is not a little demon-in-training!! Children at that age are not notoriously kindhearted and selfless. That Frank should be the one to make that sweet offer, validates my faith in him. What a great kid!

(Either that or her crying was hurting his ears! lol!)

booksandcandy said...

NOTHING but tears!

ChiTown Girl said...

Oh my hell. Frank just made me cry.

MJ's doghouse said...

awwww frank...what a guy...are are the man....i am curious..how many kids are in your classes. And i think it is very cool that the kids get to pick what they want for lunch...Canadian school is a little different...or..it was 40 years ago..haha..

feefioto said...

Oh that is such a glorious story! Did you let his parents know? Because I bet they could use a lift once in a while when it comes to Frank.

Tracey said...

Tears in my eyes! Go Frank!

Brian Miller said...

yay frank! see you are doing good VM!!!

Anne said...

That's why we love them... we know it is in there... and sometimes~only sometimes~are we lucky enough to catch 'em at their finest. Go Frank Go!

Lisa said...

Oh Frank. He does have a kind heart! How sweet is that? Love it.

Sharon Rose said...

Ok, now I have tears. After hearing Frank's stories all year, and now seeing this, I am thinking he has definitely made a connection with his heart! Wow!

Lili said...

Aw :) Big hugs for Frank!

Donna said...

I LOVE Frank stories, but this one is my favorite. And I love how he's all nonchalant, "You wanna swap?"

Dawn said...

I think somehow Frank has been absorbing all those good kind things you have been teaching him this year! :)
But it is the best when it is unprompted!

J.J. in L.A. said...

Awww! There's hope for Frank yet. ; )

Diana of Windmasters Hill said...

Damn. Now I'm tearing up. And I'm at work.

LOVE that Frank! I think the kid is going to be alright!

Lynn MacDonald said...

OMG...see, Frank is really a Knight in Shining Armour. Well, a little tarnished by his antics I suppose.

I love these stories and I'm going to miss Frank!

FRANNIE said...

I love this kid! You think that he isn't listening to you but he really is. :)

Gigi said...

That Frank; he's a good person with a heart of gold.

Leslie said...

Sweet boy...

Lucia said...

awww Frank he's made me have faith in little boys again

DawnA said...

Too sweet. And I'm sure these little things keep you coming back. I admire and have great respect for teachers.

Jan's Sushi Bar said...

For some reason, this made me just...bawl.

Ah, sweet Frank - thank you. I needed that.

Lorraine said...

Kudos to you and your class for making him blush for the best reason possible.

Anonymous said...

your teaching and patience for Frank is showing in his actions way to go

Way to go Frank. keep your teacher on her toes

Alexis said...

YAY Frank!! Stand tall young man, that was simply AWESOME!!! So so proud of you AND Ms. S. You two make one heckuva team....sigh. Now go play. (nicely please)!

Joanie said...

sigh. I love Frank. a lot.

Laura said...

Tears in my eyes and a smile on my face! Yay for Frank! and yay for you doing such an excellent job in teaching & mentoring our future!!

Jodi Pharo said...

love love love that kid

Magpie said...

he's gonna be a ladykiller.

Anonymous said...

okay, I am maybe a tad overly emotional but that made me cry. The kindness of small children always makes my day. Go Frank!

Maureen B said...

Way to hit it out of the park Frank!

jessicaj75@aol.com said...

oh god i just got teary eyed!!! that is the definition of heartwarming.

The Girl Next Door said...

I so did NOT see this coming - shame on me. And triple cheers for Frank!

Mrs. E said...

I KNEW Frank was one of the good guys!

anniep said...

Awww, Frank! I'm so proud! I'll bet he learned compassion from his teacher who fought the dreaded lunchroom police. Even though she lost he realized...it's just a sandwich. Sally shouldn't have to eat something she doesn't like. Way to go Frank!

Becky (MsBatman) said...

I have had a little crush on Mr. Frank all year, but today? Today he won my heart... I'm head over heels..

Madismomi said...

Like the others, this story made me cry! Awesome job, Frank!

I so hope he is blessed with wonderful teachers like you each year. These children that are a little, er, strong willed and have huge hearts often fall through the cracks or are broken by teachers and kids who don't know better.

Kimberly said...

Yeah, Frank! And the best part is that it wasn't part of a manipulation. It was his HEART doing what needed to be done.

Lisa said...

Bless....

Sarah Garb said...

That's pretty excellent. I love love LOVE when the kids all break out into spontaneous applause. That's when you know it's a special moment :)

Cora said...

Aww, I just KNEW he had it in him. Deep, deep, deep down inside.