Just a Paper Heart
By: Abigail Beal
“Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14th,” Mrs. Roberts said. “Today we will make special valentines to give family and friends.”
Laurie made a face at the teacher’s announcement and Suzy laughed.
“I’m not good at arts and crafts,” Laurie said. “I wish we could sing a song or bake cookies instead.”
Suzy agreed, but she wasn’t as bold as Laurie. “I like Valentine’s Day. My mom always gives me candy hearts with sayings on them.”
“Who are you going to make your valentine for?” Laurie asked.
“I’ll make it for my mom,” Suzy replied. “What about yours?”
“I’ll make mine for Mrs. Roberts,” Laurie answered. Suzy wasn’t surprised. Mrs. Roberts was a very popular art teacher at Hidden Hollow Elementary School.
“That’s a good idea,” Simon said. “I’ll make mine for Mrs. Roberts, too.” Jane agreed and wanted to make her valentine for Mrs. Roberts also.
Mrs. Roberts passed out the supplies, including red and pink construction paper. “Use your creativity and have fun. Remember, it’s Valentine’s Day!” she said with a big smile. Students traced heart shapes and cut carefully. Soon the art room was full of valentines of many shapes and types. Some were very fancy and others were more simple. Some were red and some were pink. Some valentines had lace and others had glitter or stickers. Some valentines had everything!
Suzy took the paper and tried cutting a heart. The first one didn’t come out evenly. Frustrated, she cut out a second heart.
Students finished their first valentine and did others, but Suzy’s very first valentine wasn’t completed. Her brow furrowed as she added stickers carefully in neat rows. Soon Mrs. Roberts was by her side.
“That’s a lovely valentine, Suzy,” Mrs. Roberts said. “Your mom will really be thrilled to receive such a lovely valentine.”
“I don’t know,” Suzy’s head hung lower. “Mine doesn’t look as nice as Simon’s or Jane’s. It’s just a dumb paper heart.” Suzy looked down at her desk so Mrs. Roberts wouldn’t see the tears forming in her eyes.
Mrs. Roberts bent lower and picked up the valentine. “Suzy, I don’t think you really know what changes a paper heart into a valentine. The magic ingredient is you! Your good thoughts for the person you give it to make this paper heart into a wonderful valentine.”
Suzy looked at her valentine for her mom. It had flower stickers and “Mom” written carefully in glitter. She smiled at Mrs. Roberts. “I think Mom will really like this.”
“I know she will. Valentine’s Day is a great day to show people how special they are to you,” Mrs. Roberts said, patting Suzy’s arm.
Suzy finished the valentine and watched as many students gave valentines to Mrs. Roberts. Suzy smiled, knowing that Mrs. Roberts was a kind and caring teacher.
Suzy gave her mom the valentine that day after school. “It’s perfect!” Mom said as she put it on the refrigerator right next to the valentines that said “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Roberts!” from her students.
~The End~
Illustration Copyright © 2010 Michelle Henninger
Copyright © 2010 by Abigail Beal