gifts

sometimes receiving gifts from students is rather awkward. today, after handing out my usual "holiday cards" to my reading students, one girl approached me afterward asking if i liked fragrances. then she proceeded to give me three different bath and body products - all different flavors because, as she said, she didn't know what one i'd like. that was only a bit awkward because it was way more than i needed or deserved, but the most awkward part was when a boy standing nearby (who has some major social challenges) insisted he would bring me a gift too and asked what i liked. i kept saying i was fine and didn't need anything - just wanted him to be on time to class, blah blah. he kept offering jewelry and candy, and i finally insisted he could just write me a nice note, like what i gave. so he left promising me he'd write a poem over the holiday break. did i mention he's only been in my class less than two weeks?
now i smell like wild honeysuckle. :)