in the blink of an eye

One of my 7th grade students who has a visual impairment uses a device that resembles a computer monitor with a camera attached to it to help her see things like the board or the paper or calculator she is working with.  It has truly opened up a new world for her this year, and she told me today, "I LOVE that machine!" 

It is a bulky little thing, with its own rolling suitcase that she hauls from class to class.  In each class, it must be taken out of the case, put on her desk, and plugged in.  The process is reversed at the end of each class.  Today, I was standing in the back of the room as math class wrapped up.  I looked over to see THREE other 7th graders clamoring to help her.  One reached over to turn off the power, another unplugged it from the power strip, and a third lifted it off of her desk into the bag. 

And in a split second, the moment was gone.  Sometimes, though, those are the things that make it worthwhile!