This is a story worth repeating...

The Strength and Resolve of a Five-Year-Old Kid

Four years ago, I volunteered in my son’s kindergarten class most of the year, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. One morning while I was walking down the hallway listening to the announcements, I heard something about a fire and donations for the family.

I went to the classroom and took my usual seat in the back of the class. At the beginning of reading time, the teacher asked one of the kids to come to the front of the class. Well, it’s the kid who just lost everything in the fire over the weekend. You could tell the kid wasn’t in the highest of spirits. He was uncomfortable standing in the front of the class and the look on his face was heartbreaking to say the least.

The teacher’s explained to the class that the important thing was that nobody was hurt. She’s was doing exactly what she should because the kids did have questions such as...

“Did you lose your clothes?” “Did you lose your toys?”

The young boy starts talking about how one of his cats ran off because it was scared of the fire, and his two dogs are now in heaven. I could not believe the resolve this young boy displayed in telling his story. There is no way this could have been easy for him to talk about because it was killing me just listening.

All of a sudden his classmates start saying things like, “You can have some of my clothes” and “you can have my dog” and “you can stay at my house.” Every single kid in this class is willing to give this kid their toys, pets, shelter...anything he needed. The caring and compassion was empowering to see - especially coming from kindergartners.

This little boy  looks up and says that everything’s fine and he has everything he needs right in front of him.

I had to get up and leave the room.

All these kids know the most important things in life are friends and family. And I’m standing in the hallway and it just dawns on me. Where did we get so fucked up? Because we all really started off ok. It was one of the most inspiring moments I ever had in my entire life, seeing the strength and resolve of a five-year-old kid.

I can't begin to count the number of times I think back on this story and this little boy. When the world is pressing down, stress is high and I don't know where to turn, I think back to him and all of a sudden my priorities come back in line.

We often wonder if our actions really matter, make a difference or have any impact at all. Life lessons, inspiration and motivation does not always come from our elders, mentors, parents or friends. Sometimes this can be found in the middle of a small town kindergarten class.

I WILL remember this boy and the example he set for the rest of my life. At five years old, this kid has already made a difference.