"Construction Worker" by Charles Wilbert White (1918 - 1979)
Picture: “Construction Worker” by Charles Wilbert White (1918 – 1979)
The project was simple: create a flag with a scene from one of your most favorite movies. I know, flags are supposed to represent a country or a sports team. But these were 4th and 5th graders and we just wanted to give them something that was both out of the box and creative to do.
But like all of our projects here in summer camp, what is intended to be simple always ends up being a collection of mini soap operas, stunt shows and tear jerkers all combined into one. And guess what? You are the “director” all these kids are looking to for help.
Action!
A student comes up to me in tears because some of the kids were teasing her about her flag. “Miranda and them are teasing me because they said my flag does not look as good as hers.” As I stood there looking at her beautiful brown eyes that were on the verge of turning into two leaky faucets, I quickly took off her glasses and said “Let me check this out through your glasses. As I held the tiny finger printed glasses up to my eyes, I began to study her flag as I wrinkled up eyebrows like as if I was in deep thought. Like a gemologist, I began to call out all the things I saw that I really liked about her project. I believe I also gave her some suggestions on how she could enhance her project. As I continued to study her project with her glasses in hand, I occasionally looked up to see if she the faucet leaks had stopped. Thankfully, my self esteem wrench actually worked.
After I was finished talking about her drawing, I then moved in to make some minor adjustments to the artist that gave it to me in the first place. As I gently placed her glasses back onto her tiny face, I asked her “Do you know why I used your glasses?” She gently shook her head in complete silence as she awaited my answer. I told her the reason why I used her glasses is because through your eyes, this is a beautiful thing you created. Don’t let anyone tell you that what you created isn’t as good as someone else. In your world, what you created is the bomb. So they are the ones that are missing out. So I gave her a hug and told her to take her seat. Just as I was about to put out the mini fight that was taking place behind me, several other girls were lined up wanting me to comment on their projects as well.
A few days later, I had the kids one by one tell me something good about their father on Father’s day. I told them that even if they did not have a father, to comment on the male in their life that has helped them along the way. I also told them that if they did not wish to comment, that was quite alright. As we went around the circle, kids began to briefly talk about how their dads were fun and great to have around. Then about the 5th child around, he gently shook his head saying in a low voice “I..I don’t have anything to say”. So I kept it moving. A few kids down, a boy who suffers from ADHD said that he was thankful for his mom because she cares for him. While some of the kids were quick to point out that he mentioned his mom and not his father, I immediately cut them off and told Bruce that he was fortunate enough to have someone that actually cared for him. As we kept it moving, two more kids bashfully opted not to comment on their dads. One girl said that she was glad to finally have a father that actually cares for her. For me, the whole thing was a moment in time I will not forget anytime soon.
One of the many roles of a father is to build up. This is why I get so disturbed when I see many of our young men so bent on destruction. I like a good video game like anybody else, but I does bother me that you most games these days center around destroying somebody or something.
As I drive through the landscape in my neck of the woods, I see quite a few “Coming soon” signs posted in front of empty lots. If you take the time to read some of those signs, you will see that the projects they boast about should have been built 2 or so years ago. What happened? Many builders had to abandon their lofty projects, mostly because of the economy. So what is left now is a landscape full of half completed buildings and partially developed lots. When I look at the upcoming generation, that is exactly what I see.
As men, it is our duty to complete these projects God has blessed us with. No matter what is going on, we have to see to it that these projects get all the attention that they need. Some may say “But that is not my project” or “I’m already busy with my own pet project”. All this generation is looking are some caring hands that will take a little time and tell them they have potential and show them how to develop that potential. Just like any ribbon cutting ceremony where everybody wants to be part in the snapshot moment, the arrival of a newborn is something that brings out even some of your most distant friends and family members. But sadly as that child gets older, the “Coming soon” sign gets old and eventually forgotten.
The little girl with the flag issue, I may never see her again. But I pray that the little time I took to tighten up her leak will carry her far enough for the next builder to help groom her.
Happy Builder’s Day
by Duane on June 19th, 2010 at 9:44 am"Construction Worker" by Charles Wilbert White (1918 - 1979)
Picture: “Construction Worker” by Charles Wilbert White (1918 – 1979)
The project was simple: create a flag with a scene from one of your most favorite movies. I know, flags are supposed to represent a country or a sports team. But these were 4th and 5th graders and we just wanted to give them something that was both out of the box and creative to do.
But like all of our projects here in summer camp, what is intended to be simple always ends up being a collection of mini soap operas, stunt shows and tear jerkers all combined into one. And guess what? You are the “director” all these kids are looking to for help.
Action!
A student comes up to me in tears because some of the kids were teasing her about her flag. “Miranda and them are teasing me because they said my flag does not look as good as hers.” As I stood there looking at her beautiful brown eyes that were on the verge of turning into two leaky faucets, I quickly took off her glasses and said “Let me check this out through your glasses. As I held the tiny finger printed glasses up to my eyes, I began to study her flag as I wrinkled up eyebrows like as if I was in deep thought. Like a gemologist, I began to call out all the things I saw that I really liked about her project. I believe I also gave her some suggestions on how she could enhance her project. As I continued to study her project with her glasses in hand, I occasionally looked up to see if she the faucet leaks had stopped. Thankfully, my self esteem wrench actually worked.
After I was finished talking about her drawing, I then moved in to make some minor adjustments to the artist that gave it to me in the first place. As I gently placed her glasses back onto her tiny face, I asked her “Do you know why I used your glasses?” She gently shook her head in complete silence as she awaited my answer. I told her the reason why I used her glasses is because through your eyes, this is a beautiful thing you created. Don’t let anyone tell you that what you created isn’t as good as someone else. In your world, what you created is the bomb. So they are the ones that are missing out. So I gave her a hug and told her to take her seat. Just as I was about to put out the mini fight that was taking place behind me, several other girls were lined up wanting me to comment on their projects as well.
A few days later, I had the kids one by one tell me something good about their father on Father’s day. I told them that even if they did not have a father, to comment on the male in their life that has helped them along the way. I also told them that if they did not wish to comment, that was quite alright. As we went around the circle, kids began to briefly talk about how their dads were fun and great to have around. Then about the 5th child around, he gently shook his head saying in a low voice “I..I don’t have anything to say”. So I kept it moving. A few kids down, a boy who suffers from ADHD said that he was thankful for his mom because she cares for him. While some of the kids were quick to point out that he mentioned his mom and not his father, I immediately cut them off and told Bruce that he was fortunate enough to have someone that actually cared for him. As we kept it moving, two more kids bashfully opted not to comment on their dads. One girl said that she was glad to finally have a father that actually cares for her. For me, the whole thing was a moment in time I will not forget anytime soon.
One of the many roles of a father is to build up. This is why I get so disturbed when I see many of our young men so bent on destruction. I like a good video game like anybody else, but I does bother me that you most games these days center around destroying somebody or something.
As I drive through the landscape in my neck of the woods, I see quite a few “Coming soon” signs posted in front of empty lots. If you take the time to read some of those signs, you will see that the projects they boast about should have been built 2 or so years ago. What happened? Many builders had to abandon their lofty projects, mostly because of the economy. So what is left now is a landscape full of half completed buildings and partially developed lots. When I look at the upcoming generation, that is exactly what I see.
As men, it is our duty to complete these projects God has blessed us with. No matter what is going on, we have to see to it that these projects get all the attention that they need. Some may say “But that is not my project” or “I’m already busy with my own pet project”. All this generation is looking are some caring hands that will take a little time and tell them they have potential and show them how to develop that potential. Just like any ribbon cutting ceremony where everybody wants to be part in the snapshot moment, the arrival of a newborn is something that brings out even some of your most distant friends and family members. But sadly as that child gets older, the “Coming soon” sign gets old and eventually forgotten.
The little girl with the flag issue, I may never see her again. But I pray that the little time I took to tighten up her leak will carry her far enough for the next builder to help groom her.