That Skinny Girl – Enabling Others

I'm still in 5th grade and at this point my English vocab's doing a little bit better than those 5 introductory words at the start of the semester. I don't know how Michelle and I met. But her name sounded familiar so it stuck in my head. Michelle was very thin with curly hair and always had dry lips. She walked very fast but had this terrible habit of dragging her feet with every step. She always carried a tissue and would blow her nose often. I'd wonder, "why is this girl always sick?". Now as an adult, I realize that Michelle suffered from hectic sinus and allergies!

I always enjoyed staying behind to help teachers out after school with clearing out their cupboards, filing papers, and moving stuff. I wasn't in a hurry to leave, since my younger brother would play sports after school and Mom made sure we knew to always walk back home together. Michelle also enjoyed staying behind and helping teachers.

One afternoon after school, English class had wrapped up, and Michelle and I were the only learners left in class. As the teacher talked about her after-school English support program and getting me onto it, Michelle lit up and boldly told the teacher, "Miss, I can help Pascale with English. I can spend one period (40 minutes) after school reading with her". I stayed calm, but I smiled inside and out, anticipating the teacher's response. With a tone of affirmation, the teacher looked at Michelle and said, "you are a very helpful girl". And that is how Michelle then became my after school tutor.

Most learners in the extra lessons class were English speakers who just needed more support, particularly with reading and comprehension. I on the other hand needed to learn to speak, read, and write English. So, our needs were VERY different and no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t avoid standing out.

I loved learning with Michelle, because I didn't have to be the girl who didn't know English because she was foreign. I didn't want to be the odd one out and compete for the teacher's attention. Michelle was lovable, patient, and would laugh off mistakes with me, not at me. More than my 'tutor', she was my friend. Sometimes during our 30-minute reading session, we'd close the books to get up and play. In that carpeted classroom, play meant vigorously rubbing our feet (with shoes on, of course) on the carpet so we could shock each other at the touch of a finger. Haha and Michelle being a lightweight meant she packed a mean shock! Michelle made me feel like my being different wasn't a problem. That being helpful to others (like teachers after school) counts in your favor, by having you strategically positioned to receive help in return. She taught me that you can see somebody’s worth beyond their abilities, current state and resources. People have value and worth in and of themselves. It is easy to think that someone isn’t valuable because they’re going through a hard time. But sometimes all it takes is for someone to say “I can help” to restore confidence and a sense that they too are capable.

#WiseAboutFeels #EmbracingDifferences #HelpAttractsHelp #EnablingOthers #Capabilities