The Purple Water Bottle
What Are Frustrations For?
Have you ever been confronted with so much frustration, it seems like one disappointment after the other? Sometimes we feel like we are so far off track and don’t know how to get back on. Well, I found out today that we have these frustrations and disappointments to show us the true meaning or lesson of life.
While running back and forth to all the classrooms on a daily basis as I help out every day, I misplaced my expensive water bottle. It was my favorite purple water bottle with the sippy straw built-in. It meant a lot to me because I purchased it with a gift card I received from a student a few years back. I splurged and bought the expensive one. Since I normally don’t buy extravagant items, it would remind me every day when I used it how much I’m truly worth.
I back tracked checking every classroom at the end of the day. I looked everywhere. Since I needed a water bottle and knew I didn’t have an extra one at home, I went to the store and purchased another. I made sure it was the same color purple so I could at least make a connection with something familiar. I didn’t really splurge again, but it had that beautiful new look to it. I took it home, washed and removed the stickers, and filled it with water all ready for the next day.
Frustration Shines a Light
As I walked into the school, the first grade teacher that I see every day at ten o’clock saw me and yelled out, “Hey, did you leave your purple water bottle in my room yesterday?” I stopped dead in my tracks. I was relieved that it was found and pretty impressed with myself for having another one ready to go. After I put my things down in my room, I walked down the hall to her classroom with a big smile on my face and feeling very relieved. As I approached her door, something inside said, “You know, since you have a brand new one in your bag, you should offer it to her for someone in her class. Maybe someone doesn’t have one.” When I offered it to her, she said she didn’t have anyone in need, but then I saw her face light up.
She said with a smile, “You might want to talk to the new first grade teacher right across the hall. She has a new student, a little boy, and I hear he’s homeless.”
Finding the Answer
Her smile triggered one for me. I quickly hurried across the hall after thanking her. I knocked gently not to startle her as I walked in so early in the morning. I told her my story about my lost water bottle and told her I now had an extra. “Do you have anyone in your class that might want this new water bottle filled and ready to go?” I said with my big smile still on my face.
There it was again, now this teacher’s face grew with the biggest smile saying, “Yes that would be wonderful”, she said softly like a mother who has just received something special for her son. I hurried back to my room, collected the water bottle, and returned to her room. “We can put it right here, his name is David.”
Follow the Light
“Oh”, I said as I put it on his desk, “I met him the other day on the play ground.” He looked like a new face at our school. We both seemed to hesitate and honor the new water bottle sitting on the desk that would be a comfort for the new student. As I walked toward her door, I let her know that my girls were in college and if there was anything she felt he needed to let me know, since I would love to spoil him a bit.
Walking down the hall to my room, I thought how all these frustrations allowed me to misplace my water bottle and stumble upon a student that I could help. I will be sure to remind myself that my next bunch of frustrations may be happening so that I can help another person. I’ll definitely have to be sure to keep my eyes open for the greatness that can come out of the not-so-great moments.
