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It’s been six weeks of volunteering at Chrysler Elementary with the Quicken Loans Community DIFF program

Six weeks of “MR. CLAY. MR. CLAY. I CAN COUNT TO 20. CAN YOU COUNT TO 20????”

“Yes, I can count to 20,” I say, rubbing my temples. “Please, it’s so early in the morning. The indoor voice. It’s so loud. So very loud…”

“I’M NOT LOUD. WHY YOU SAY THAT? I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO COUNT TO FIVE ON MY FINGERS.”

“That’s great. Here’s a hard one. What is 9 + 7″

He sits and thinks for a moment. Scratches his head and smiles.

“I CAN DO THIS. I CAN DO THIS. I HAVE 9 IN MY HEAD AND THEN I HAVE (he puts seven fingers up on his two hands and starts to count them off, one by one) 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. SIXTEEN. IT’S SIXTEEN. IT’S SIXXXTEEEEEEEN!”

“Yes, it’s 16. Good job. Please sit down.”

“I HAVE FIVE FINGERS. I CAN COUNT TO ANY NUMBER WITH MY FINGERS. HEY WHY ARE YOUR FINGERS SO FUNNY LOOKING.”

“They aren’t. My fingers don’t look funny. Please stop yelling and sit down. We have more to do.”

“WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW? CAN I SING MY ABCs? CAN I SING MY ABCs? CAN I SING MY ABCs?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Yes, if you please stop yelling all the time. You can sing it. And please sit down.”

“THANK YOU. I’M NOT YELLING. THIS IS FUN, MR. CLAY!”

Yes, another week of fun.

Another week of mentoring.

Another good week.

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