I bring Hapi too, and it is funny that some parents are told by their kids "You have to go to art, Mom, and meet Hapi!" I love that my sidekick has a special job to do, and that all of the parents I've met "get it." He greeted parents with "Hello!" and grumbled a bit when I talked, promoting the same laughter that he gets from kids. His perfectly timed whistles and laughs added a lightness to the evening that made it more fun, which is to be expected when he's hanging out. He's a working parrot, now. I often think about why and how the animals that are in our lives find us (and people too, for that matter.) Is there a bigger plan that we are not aware of yet? Strange synchronicities and interactions with other living creatures are often too odd to be believed. I think so as I've had some real intense ones. I think back to that Christmas Eve years ago when Hapi was in the local pet store...waiting...and it all clicked. Here was the Grey I'd always wanted. A fellow bird enthusiast that I knew from the New Hampshire bird store just so happened to be present, encouraging me to take a chance and bring this poor little guy home. Weird and fortuitous.
By coming home with me he has become a source of laughter and light for so many kids. And sometimes adults. I've had students tell me that they weren't going to come to school until they remembered it was Hapi's day so they DID come. That alone is wonderful. Even better is to see the twinkle of amazement in a child's eye when Hapi says something funny to them. He inspires amazement, awe, and lots of laughs. It's hard to be nervous, bored, or scared when you are laughing. You can't learn anything if you are mentally anxious or intimidated. Hapi helps set the tone for a fun art room, and I think that is why he came to me. One of his favorite expressions is "I'm a special parrot." Yes, Hap, you truly are.
So on this post-Open House "Hapi Friday," the kids get their turn to have Hapi present as we all work on art together for the day. On deck is paper mache, mixed media, drawing, and more. Life is very, very good!
What will you make today?