I Am Poem by Jacob Stock

I am a boy who loves to play basketball

I wonder how people dribble so skillfully

I hear the crowd screaming

I see myself making the winning basket

I want to be a pro at basketball

I pretend to win a game, but I lost in real life

I fell happy about winning

I touch the NBA Trophy

I worry that my team and I will always lose

I cry when I get hurt

I am a boy who loves to play basketball

I understand that you don't always win

I say never give up

I dream about winning the last game and win the NB A Trophy

I try to make every basket

I hope I'll be a star

I am a boy who loves to play basketball

Hero

This time of year I often reminisce of people who's lives have blessed mine. The list is long. How thankful I am for many - from my favorite checkout clerk at Albertsons to role models at church to friends whose kindnesses continue to take me by surprise. I seek out quiet moments (always trying to find QUIET moments) to savor the individual personalities of my children and appreciate the good man I married.

Jacob recently came home from school and shared a letter with me that he wrote in school to his hero. I was teary when I read the salutation. Of all the people he could choose as his hero, his choice surprised me.

It made me think about who my heroes are. Again, I have many who I look to for inspiration. But my heart singled out my beautiful sister. What a special connection and enduring friend. And since I snagged her photo on her recent trip to California, you get to enjoy it.

Now - the letter:

About James

Last year I shared Jacob's ME POSTER. James did one this year.

I have a great name. It is James Jonathan Stock. Today I feel awesome. Something special about me is I'm nice. What bugs me most about school is I get bored easily. I'd rather play video games than school. I like teachers that are nice and fun. My favorite place to be is home or Utah. Something that bothers me is when by brother bothers me. At our house we have free time between 7-8 p.m. When I'm alone I like to think about stuff. The most important person in the world is my family. I wish I could be cooler. Sometimes I like to make food. I think school should be a place were we have fun and a little learning. I feel nervous when I have to give a presentation. Better than anything, I like my parents. I really get angry when my brother startles me. I feel proud when I get awards. I wish people wouldn't bother me. This year I hope I can be more nice. One thing I'd like to know about the teacher is how he gets his work done. One think I'd like the teacher to know about me is that I'm a bit shy.

If I Were a Gift

My Jacob has a friend named Jacob who had to complete a writing assignment at school called, "If I were a gift." His mom sent me what he wrote. I was very touched by his kindness. It reminded me that we should each be thinking what we could be or do for somebody else.

If I Were a Gift by Jacob
If I Were a Gift, I would be hair for my friend Jacob.
I would be hair for him because he is on chemotherapy.
He has lost all of his hair.
He would want hair to warm his head in the winter.

Me Poster

Jacob started his home school - actually called Home Hospital in our district. All curriculm and materials are provided by the school/district. Jacob's teacher, Mrs. Bishop, was actually his kindergarten teacher. She comes to our home for up to five hours each week. She is working with the other 3rd grade teachers to help him learn the same things his classmates are learning. I found his "Me Poster" on the desk and had to smile at a few of his responses. His answers are in red.

I have a great name. It is Jacob. Today I feel good. Something special about me is I am good at video games. What bugs me most about school is nothing. I'd rather do math than science. I like teachers that are nice. My favorite place to be is Utah. Something that bothers me is my baby brother's screaming. At our house we play DS & Wii. When I'm alone I like to be bored. The most important person in the world is my parents. I wish I could go back to Legoland & Knotts. I like to play Diamond & Emerald. I think school should be a place were we learn. I feel nervous when I get in trouble. I really get angry when my sister bugs me. I feel proud when it's my birthday. I wish people wouldn't interrupt me. This year I hope I have a good Christmas. One thing I'd like the teacher to know about me is I have a good brain.