How one moment changed everything for me

I experienced a situation in my teaching endeavors that effected me greatly. I was implementing a 10-week art program for pre-schoolers at a HeadStart campus in Phoenix AZ. At the beginning of every session I did a quick warm- up activity with the students, usually drawing with crayons. During one session I explained to the little ones to draw something that made them happy on one side of their paper and something that made them sad on the other. Majority of the kids were drawing stick figures at this age. I walked around the room to talk to them individually see what they were drawing. I approach a little girl who was always graving attention and was always in good spirits. I asked her what she had drawn. She explained that she drew her cat, that made her happy, on one side and her father shooting her mother with a gun on the other side. I was not expecting such a response to this activity. I was also stunned by the way she explained it- with out any hesitation and with normalcy. As an educator I commended her on her skills such as use of color and straight lines. I was not sure how else to respond. I was new at the teaching thing and had come from a very stable and loving upbringing. This sort of experience was never even thought of in my life until then. I realized what these kids were going through and I felt a sense of empowerment but at the same time thankful I was there in a positive way- even if it was only for 2 hours a week. I kept that drawing for a long time and looked at it often (not sure where it is now). It motivates me to continue my experiences in art teaching and art making, as well as lets me know how thankful I am for the life I have.