Birthdays: Becoming We

Today was Owen’s birthday. Fifth grade has always had some sort of birthday recognition, but this year I decided to arrange things slightly differently.

The birthday person sits in the “chair of glowing attention” and faces away from the board. While they are looking away, each classmate writes a comment on the board that is honest, specific and complimentary to the birthday person. After everyone is done, the birthday person turns around and sees it all at once.

Partly, this is, of course, to celebrate the birthday person, but partly it is to build a web of connection so that we can function as a society and community. If we take a minute to think about what, specifically, we value in each member of the community, it is ultimately easier to value each member.

Sometimes a theme emerges,

You’re an amazingly kind, funny, smart, and I could go on and on. But I love how you use humor to brighten the dark times.

but sometimes, everyone has

an individual idea.

You wouldn’t

want this to be too

sappy. At this

age, the jokes communicate

sincerity.

We already have in jokes.

Emu likes you today.

Kind hearted, funny, a great friend.

You’re probably not a lizard. Also, you make original and hilarious jokes.

But in the end, a good chance to remember why each one of us is necessary and important, and why it is worth the trouble to be together.

The post Birthdays: Becoming We appeared first on Sabot at Stony Point.

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