There is something about children that I love, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I don't know whether it is their hopeless sense of wonder and curiosity or their colorful sense of imagination.

I have always adored working with kids, they bring a smile to my face, they give me a sense of purpose, and they simply make me happy.

I have worked with children since I was 15 years old, and I always found something that I liked the most about each of them. I loved the way they would giggle when I tickled their toes or when they would keep their eyes open while counting for hide n' seek. It never got old playing princess or being superman's sidekick.

Every day there was something new.

There were also those days where they made me want to pull my hair out as they would put on an attitude or wouldn't listen, but it only took one little hug or sheepish "I'm sorry" to fix it all.

My most favorite part of working with children is that they were always, always excited to see me, it was as if I had gone away for weeks when I simply was gone a whole 12 hours.

I would open the door to hear little footprints running on the hardwood floor, only to be crushed with a hug as they had already planned what we were going to do for the day. Or, I would show up at their classroom to see their eyes light up as they saw I was there to pick them up. I always felt nothing but pure happiness as I could feel the love they had for me along with the feeling that the love I had for them was growing as well.

It has always been gratifying to watch them grow, as some of them I watched from the age of six-months-old. I watched them learn to sit up, to walk, and to recite the ABC's. I also have watched them learn dance routines and multiplication, or how to put a Lego set together all by themselves. To see the pride beam from them brought a warmth to my heart.

Working with children has also changed me. I have learned to be patient as they themselves are learning. I have learned to be more supportive, as they needed reassurance. I have learned to utilize my imagination, as theirs is endless. Lastly, I have learned to love in a different way, as they need that patient, supportive, imaginative love.

A part of me will always love working with children as it has impacted my life greatly over the years. I will always be thankful for each and every one of the children that has crossed into my life. Each and every one will be special to me in different ways and I will always have a place in my heart for them, no matter how old.