Pansies: “Preschool is not for pansies”

 We had “Mom’s  Tea” when I taught preschool, and it was a highlight of the year. We worked so enthusiastically to make it beyond special for mom… muffins  the size of dinner plates, tea, table settings, centerpieces, place cards, corsages, flowers, gifts, songs, the whole “shebang!” For years, my three-year-old class planted pansies for Mom (the only surefire bet to survive May in Michigan).  They painted pressed paper egg cups yellow, glued on black pom-poms, and together we wrapped their “bees”  with black tape secured with a pipe cleaner and bubble wrap wings.  Into the painted pot of pansies they would go before the rousing choruses of “Bringing home my baby bumblebee” and “More like Jesus” were sung to Mommy. Pansies and preschoolers. You know, I should have marketed a T-shirt: “Preschool  isn’t for Pansies” (this is true on so many levels!) It would be purple. It would have a crown logo. “Whoever welcomes a little child in my name, welcomes me.” Blessings on your day, dear ones. You are stronger than you think.