Lunchwalker

 One very small part of my job each day, is to walk a class of kindergarteners back from the cafeteria to their classroom.   It gives their teacher a few more minutes to catch her breath and finish her lunch.

Last night, we had a simple yet lovely school family cultural event.  There was an excellent turnout and being an elementary teacher is a lot like walking the red carpet.  I must hear, "Mrs. Potter!! Hi!" at least forty times a day as I pass by them in the halls.  

"There she is!  Mom, come on!"  One of my new little friends this year eagerly pushed her way toward me dragging her mom whose eyes were full of confusion.  She didn't know me and I'm definitely not her child's classroom teacher.  But her daughter made it to me and wrapped her arms around my leg in a hug before she stepped back and said, "This is Mrs. Potter.  She is my lunchwalker." 

Her mom raised her eyebrows and looked at me with curiosity.  I thought of many things I could say about my official title and position.  But I realized it didn't matter.  And so chuckling at the new term, I smiled and said, "She is right.  I walk her back to class after lunch.  It is so nice to meet you.  I'm so glad you came."

Her mom smiled and we chatted about her child for another minute and then I pointed out the tables across the grass where free ice cream  waited.  She took her mom's hand and skipped off before turning one more time and giving me one last quick wave.  

It was a good reminder that every role at every level is important.  So to all the "lunch walkers"- never doubt your significance or importance.  And to those who aspire to higher positions , shoot for the stars, but never forget the magic and beauty of mattering to one person through simple acts of service.  

President Jean B Bingham counseled, "Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to “count” as serving our neighbors. Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves. What did the Savior do? Through His supernal gifts of the Atonement and Resurrection—which we celebrate on this beautiful Easter Sunday—“none other has had so profound an influence [on] all who have lived and who will yet live upon the earth.” But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave. He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel. Those “simple” acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today."

Don't deny yourself and others the blessings that come by never being too busy or too important to be a lunchwalker.