Around this time of year, a number of years ago, I received in the mail a drawing from my 3-year-old granddaughter. It was sent from her child care center. At the top was a note she dictated to her teacher, letting me know that the scribbles, lines and circles said “I love you, Grandma Hedda.” What a treasure!
I thought maybe the letter was part of a Thanksgiving Day activity. But it wasn’t. It was about the mail. The children were to make pictures to send in the mail to people they love. And I have to say that, with all the e-mails and text messages these days, there’s still something heartwarming about receiving a handwritten “love note” or a “thank-you note” in the mail.
I told my granddaughter how much it meant to me to get her caring message in the mail. I also made it a point to thank her teacher for giving her (and the other children) the encouragement to express their love – and not just on birthdays, Thanksgiving Day or other holidays. I couldn’t help but think about one of our favorite Neighborhood songs about “Many Ways to Say I love you.”
Creation Station
October 2023: I recently talked with a teacher who was excited about a new learning center that she set up for the children. She called it the "Creation Station," and stocked it with recyclable "stuff" donated by families - boxes, egg cartons, packing material, plastic containers, and paper towel tubes.
September 2023: A gazillion times! Is that how many times you've sung Itsy, Bitsy Spider and Wheels on the Bus? I know it's not easy to keep finding the energy and enthusiasm to sing the same songs over and over again, but I hope you know how much you're giving children when you do.
August 2023: The world lost a legendary musical giant last month when Tony Bennett died. We're left with our memories and treasured recordings. I wonder if you knew that one of those recordings was from our very own Neighborhood - in 1975. Not with Lady Gaga - but with Lady Elaine!
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