Oh happy day.

I have a new job. Well, it's a week-old. I'm working at the club near my college and it is kind of the greatest thing ever. My boss is so chill and gives each of us (almost) total freedom to do whatever programing we want. And the kids I work with are the greatest kids on the planet. (Well, most of the time!) My staff is amazing and it is such a great fit for me.
I was helping a kindergartner with her homework the other day. She was learning about body coverings on animals- fur, feathers, etc. She had to draw another animal with the same body covering as the one pictured. The first picture was of a bird, so I asked, "What is on a bird?" She answered, "Brown? Black?" I suppose the idea of feathers was a little confusing. A boy across the table looked at her, shook his head, and explained that we all have things that cover us. Humans have skin, dogs have fur, and birds have feathers. The kindergardener looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Birds have feathers. So do dinosaurs!" Right on, kid.
Basically, I am happy. It's this one-on-one (or even15-on-one) interactions with kids that make me realize how amazing life is. Taking the time to listen to how a child processes ideas and thoughts is one of the greatest parts about my work. I have no idea how they can manage such creative and unique responses to homework questions, but it brings such joy. And fueling that joy can keep a child learning and discovering and making other people happy.