This is Holter

This is Holter.

Holter is the little guy.  He is one of my third graders.  He has a big brother named Webster in my 4th grade class, and Webster is a lot bigger than he is.  Holter is quite often a victim to his big brother, whether it is being pushed on the playground or getting candy taken from him.

Holter has a kind heart, despite living in the fearful shadow of his brother.

He struggles with most subjects, especially spelling.  Sometimes I will see him at his desk writing the words over and over to practice while the other kids are goofing off, or staying after school to finish a writing assignment while the other kids are playing kickball.  But when it comes time for the weekly test, he doesn't do well at all.  It breaks my heart.

He is easy to please.  I try and give him high-fives whenever I see him studying, and his assignments are always graced with little boy-mind drawings of spaceships and superheroes playing out the grand, imaginary world inside this little boy's head.

I admire him for this.  It reminds me of my childhood school years.  I believe there is much more going on in his head than meets the eye, and there is a secret "Holter world" that lies unseen in the shadow of his big, overpowering brother and peers.


Today during reading, I was having an especially hard day.  The kids weren't listening and everyone was off the wall.  I was about to pull my hair out when Holter comes toddling up to my desk.

"Hey, Holter.  You ready for your new book?  I just graded your book report," I wearily said.
"Can I read this one?" He asks in his high, small voice.
He holds up a giant Uncle Arthur Bible Stories book.  His level of reading sits around "Frog and Toad" status.
"Are you sure you want to?  Its a big book, and you have to read it all the way through to do the book report," I warned.
"Yes, I love Him!" He said.
"I know, I love these books too.  I used to read them all the time when I was your age."
"No, I love Him."


He was pointing to the picture of Jesus on the cover.


I looked into his eyes and couldn't help but smile.  He wore a little grin that showed his two missing front teeth.  This guy has a good heart, and this good heart will get him much farther than any perfect assignment will.

"You may read this book, Holter.  It is all yours."





Peace from the tropics,

River