It's the thought that counts!

Yesterday was the last day before Christmas break and of course that meant I received gifts from my students. I'll give a rundown of what I received...hopefully at least one items strikes you as strange, just as it did me.

- gift card to Starbucks
- gift card to Target
- gift card to Chili's
- bath items from Crabtree and Evelyn (in a lime green carrying case)
- bath gel from Bath and Body Works
- note cards (same parent I got note cards from last year)
- Ghirardelli chocolate
- sausage and crackers with mustard set
- bath gel and scrubber from Kohl's
- lotion, hand mirror and chapstick from Ulta

YES, I know you all picked out the sausage. I know it is the thought that counts, but really sausage???? And what made it even worse was that when I pulled it out the bag, a plume of smoke came too. It made me nauseous. I carried it in my hand and then my hand wreaked of smoke as well. The good news is that I did make use of this sausage. Everyday on my way home, I see many homeless people begging for food and/or money. I drove up and waved the lady over. I handed it to her and she said, "Really? Oh my goodness, thank you!!" This made it worth it. I'm glad the sausage helped someone. I was thankful for every gift I received, but I'm thankful I didn't get sausage from every student.
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This week I also received a few letters from some of my kids last year. I think it was an assignment to write a letter to "your favorite teacher". Please remember that I was their teacher for half a year. I received 3 letters. One was very unexpected. It was from a child who I had to constantly get on to. He even sat by my desk so that I could keep a very close eye on him. Apparently, he viewed this as a privilege and liked that I let him help me while he was sitting there. If he viewed this as positive, rather than me nagging him to make good choices, I guess that is a good thing. I also received letters from two other students. Each one of them made me smile. I'm glad that I did something for them that they remember...that's why I do this...and for the gift cards at Christmas time. hahaha