this is you.

I wish I could show you a picture of the little boy who drew this rendition of me. I cannot tell you how precious this child is with his big eyes and eyelashes and his little boy voice. I wish I could describe him to you properly, as only an almost-master of English would...but confidentiality prevents me from doing so. But let me say this, when this little boy, who I adore, who my heart breaks for, turns to the first page in his notebook scribbles with his fat purple marker then looks up at me and says "this is you"... suddenly, in a moment i realize, he's right. this is me. this child, this classroom, this life that years ago i would have "poo-poo"ed. this is me. and it's a me i never thought would be. i never thought i could have wanted to be.

who knew?

...sometimes i even surprise myself.