As school kids gathered at school, we once again had the Super Tuesday service, praising, singing and praying together. Knowing this was my last Super Tuesday service, I had a smile on the whole time, even though it was so hot in the back room with 93 kids screaming, singing and dancing. No air conditioner that I know of could work its magic enough to actually keep that place cooled off. One hour of this is about enough to soak a shirt with sweat, and make one smell quite funky for the remainder of the day, yet, no one really seems to care.
As people leave the room of worship, the bus has arrived for the first field trip of the year. Word buzzes around school and excitement fills the air. Everyone is pumped to get out of school for the day and go to a park to relax in the sunshine. The 84 degree sunshine and 97% humidity. Just thinking about it makes me sweat again. It was HOT! As the bus is filled we take head counts and make sure everyone that paid is on the bus. The rest are left behind until their parents can take them home for school. Personally, I would have taken that direction had I been given the option. A hot day at the park or thousands of rules, or a day at home with video games. Seems like a no brainer to me, but that is because I had a good home life. I don't know all these kids stories at home.
As we end the 30 minutes trek to the park, empty basketball courts and huge playground equipment awaits us to run and jump all over it. Immediately, the courts were filled with boys changing into basketball clothes, including Mr. Samir and myself. It was the battle of the year. Finally a good court with two great hoops. The real skills could be proven today. The game was rough and long, but through the sweat and many hits, everyone finished strong and came out alive. Scratches and bruises, but breathing.
Clothes were soaked, and children tired. Shade was quickly found as everyone rested, trying to let the sweat dry up which is nearly impossible in the Southern Florida humidity. After a bit a dare was made, and they aren't taken easy. One boy challenged everyone that he was the fastest. Immediately, another took him on. Of course they are both in my class, making me look like the bad teacher. Five short minutes after this dare, the boy who decided to take on the challenge ran his face into a metal pole because he could not stop, pushing his teeth through his bottom lip, leaving a HUGE hole from the outside, all the way to the inside, requiring about 10 stitches. After this moment, we may as well of gone home because no one was allowed to do anything, except breathe and stay in place. The risk of someone else getting injured was not going to happen.
Sandwiches and chips were prepared as we handed them out to everyone, ate, and returned to school. Everyone that is, except for my boy Oliver. He was at the hospital for the remainder of the school day, until he returned about 3 minutes before the release time. His lip was incredibly huge with black strings dancing all over it, as blood continued to make its way out around the stitches. Why oh why do these things always happen to me? I feel like I am getting paid back for all the frustrations that I caused my teachers growing up. Funny how life always seems to do this!
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