Pre-surgery classroom plans update -
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2001 8:44 pm
Thought I'd let you all know how it went today in Maia's classroom. Today was her last day before her surgery. We are Jewish and she goes to a Jewish preschool that is at a synagogue. Our Sabbath is on Saturday and we call that Shabbat. So on Friday, they have Shabbat services for all the children. One child per Friday is chosen to be the Shabbat girl or boy and they are honored during the service - they are in charge of doing all the ceremonial things, and they lead the songs, etc.
So Maia was the Shabbat girl for this Friday and we were invited to join her for this service...which we did and it was just wonderful. After the service, the Rabbi had Maia and her class stay longer and sat us down in the front of the synagogue in a big circle on the floor and talked to the children about Maia going to Texas. She very eloquently told the children about surgery and how sometimes it is scary and sometimes it hurts but it's so nice to have your parents right there and to also know that God is right there too...and really what is happening is that the results will be like a miracle or a present just from God. She asked the children what they thought about Maia not being there next week and asked them if they wanted to say anything to Maia. This little stood up and said, "I want to give Maia my funny face." And he made this amazingly funny face. And then he said "when she is sad, I want her to remember my funny face" (I couldn't believe this!!)...then another girl said that she wanted to tell Maia something and she turned to Maia and said "I love you Maia". Then another girl stood up and said, "Maia I will share my toy with you now"... about six children out of ten stood up and talked. It was just heartwarming.
Then we all stood up and Maia was given the honor of opening up the ark doors - there is a lit "closet" and inside are the Torahs. Torahs are the scrolls containing the Five Books of Moses - the old testament. When the ark is opened it's a moment of reverence. She said a prayer in Hebrew that is a special prayer for healing and wellbeing. And all the children answered with "Amen" and then Maia and I closed the ark doors.
Then we went down to Maia's classroom in which we did more ceremonial things (lit candles, ate Challah [bread] and drank grape juice. And when that was done I read them the book I wrote.
The loved it! They loved the idea that they could see the picture of the hospital and pointed to the floor where Maia will be. I told them that if they missed Maia next week, they could go to the book and see where she was! One little boy said, "if I wave to her will she see me?" precious! Then I took out the SOL splint and everyone got to try it on to see what it would feel like to be with their arm up. They were SO excited!
I am leaving the book there and the SOL splint there. I figured that when Maia came back - if they wanted to be like Maia, they could have the splint in the dress up box....and that way they wouldn't bother her current splint.
All the kids hugged me before they went out to play. I'm SO glad I did this!
oh yes - I forgot to tell you that a friend of mine got Maia a 'texas' style outfit.... jean skirt with paisley ruffles and a bow in the back...and a t-shirt that matched with boots sewn on the front... she wore it to school today...
I highly recommend getting your child's friends involved in some way....it helps them understand it better I think and have compassion (I hope at least).
We leave tomorrow early morning. Have a nice weekend and week y'all.
-francine
So Maia was the Shabbat girl for this Friday and we were invited to join her for this service...which we did and it was just wonderful. After the service, the Rabbi had Maia and her class stay longer and sat us down in the front of the synagogue in a big circle on the floor and talked to the children about Maia going to Texas. She very eloquently told the children about surgery and how sometimes it is scary and sometimes it hurts but it's so nice to have your parents right there and to also know that God is right there too...and really what is happening is that the results will be like a miracle or a present just from God. She asked the children what they thought about Maia not being there next week and asked them if they wanted to say anything to Maia. This little stood up and said, "I want to give Maia my funny face." And he made this amazingly funny face. And then he said "when she is sad, I want her to remember my funny face" (I couldn't believe this!!)...then another girl said that she wanted to tell Maia something and she turned to Maia and said "I love you Maia". Then another girl stood up and said, "Maia I will share my toy with you now"... about six children out of ten stood up and talked. It was just heartwarming.
Then we all stood up and Maia was given the honor of opening up the ark doors - there is a lit "closet" and inside are the Torahs. Torahs are the scrolls containing the Five Books of Moses - the old testament. When the ark is opened it's a moment of reverence. She said a prayer in Hebrew that is a special prayer for healing and wellbeing. And all the children answered with "Amen" and then Maia and I closed the ark doors.
Then we went down to Maia's classroom in which we did more ceremonial things (lit candles, ate Challah [bread] and drank grape juice. And when that was done I read them the book I wrote.
The loved it! They loved the idea that they could see the picture of the hospital and pointed to the floor where Maia will be. I told them that if they missed Maia next week, they could go to the book and see where she was! One little boy said, "if I wave to her will she see me?" precious! Then I took out the SOL splint and everyone got to try it on to see what it would feel like to be with their arm up. They were SO excited!
I am leaving the book there and the SOL splint there. I figured that when Maia came back - if they wanted to be like Maia, they could have the splint in the dress up box....and that way they wouldn't bother her current splint.
All the kids hugged me before they went out to play. I'm SO glad I did this!
oh yes - I forgot to tell you that a friend of mine got Maia a 'texas' style outfit.... jean skirt with paisley ruffles and a bow in the back...and a t-shirt that matched with boots sewn on the front... she wore it to school today...
I highly recommend getting your child's friends involved in some way....it helps them understand it better I think and have compassion (I hope at least).
We leave tomorrow early morning. Have a nice weekend and week y'all.
-francine