It was just after snack time, and I was rinsing out some paint cups when I realized something strange—the classroom had gone completely quiet. If you’ve ever been around 4- and 5-year-olds, you know that silence usually means something’s up.
I peeked around the corner into the play area and froze.Four of my students—Niko, Janelle, Izzy, and Samir—were sitting in a perfect circle. Hands held. Eyes shut. Heads bowed.
They were whispering something softly, and at first I thought it might be a game or a song. But when I moved closer, I realized… they were offering heartfelt wishes. Not just pretending. Real, sincere hopes spoken aloud.
“What are you all doing?” I asked gently.
Izzy opened one eye and whispered, “We’re asking the sky to help us.”
“Help with what?” I asked.
Niko glanced at Janelle and simply said, “It’s for her mom.”
Janelle avoided my eyes, and I didn’t press her. I just let them finish. But the emotion in that moment stayed with me all day.Later, during pick-up, Janelle’s usual ride didn’t show. The office began calling emergency contacts, but no one was answering. As the classroom emptied, Janelle sat on the rug, quiet and nervous. I reassured her as best I could while we waited.
At 4:45, I got a call from an unfamiliar number. It was a neighbor named Nadine, letting me know Janelle’s mom had been taken to the hospital due to dehydration and fatigue, and she had been asked to pick Janelle up.When Nadine arrived, she knelt and hugged Janelle tightly. Before they left, I asked her to keep us updated. “We care about her a lot,” I said. She nodded, thanked me, and they headed out into the evening.
The next day, Janelle wasn’t at school. A few of her classmates noticed. “Where’s Janelle?” Izzy asked during circle time.
“Her mommy’s not feeling well, so she’s staying with a neighbor for now,” I replied gently.
Izzy looked down and whispered, “But we made our wishes.”
I paused, unsure how to respond. Then I said, “Sometimes things take time to get better. But caring for someone the way you all did? That really matters.”Later that day, we got an update: Janelle’s mom was recovering and might return home that night. When I shared the news, Izzy clapped and said, “It worked!” The other kids beamed. I smiled with them. “Maybe your kindness helped in ways we can’t always see.”
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