All Good Things Must Come To An End

Well, after counting down for the last two months, school is finally over. No more kids yelling, crying, whining, tattling, hitting, kicking, punching, biting. No more runny noses, pulling hair, lying, stealing. No more, “Teacher, he hit me!” or “I need to go potty teacher!” Or “She’s not sharing!” And definitely no more “I want my mommy!”

I woke up this morning not as excited as I had anticipated. I was kind of sad. Here I have spent about 8 or 9 months with these kids, 6 ½ hours a day four day a week being there when their parents can’t. I shared their hardships with them and I would empathize with them. When they fell they would come to me, when their feelings were hurt I was there to cheer them up, I played with them, I would enter into their imaginary world with them and we’d get lost just goofing off and being kids, I was their friend when they thought they had none. I helped them learn manners, ABCs, 123s, how to write their name. I helped teach them how to jump, skip, tiptoe, gallop, and balance (I know, Wiggle, teach kids how to balance?). I taught them how to treat there friends with respect, how to accept others, and how to become independent, I taught them how to laugh at themselves when they were sad, and that, it is okay to make mistakes, and most important, love who they are.

As I sat there watching the children sing to their parents today, I was so proud of them. They have come such a long way. I tried my hardest to swallow the lump that sat in my throat. Sitting outside on a bench watching the children laugh and play with the friends they made this year. Sarah ran up to me and threw her arms around me and gave me the biggest hug. This is a daily occurrence she always gives me hugs like that. But today was different the hug she gave me was extra long and tight, realizing that this would be the last day she might see me, (unless I see her in the grocery store or something). She then smiled and ran off to play; I sat there and cried, trying not to make a big scene, because kids don’t like to see their teacher cry.

Parents were there with their kids and were taking pictures of me with their child. I love every single child in my class and am going to miss them. The sad part is that in few months I won’t be in their minds anymore. In a couple of years they won’t even remember me. I will move on and have more kids to teach, and eventually, this whole year will be forgotten.

On the way home I spent time with each child laughing and playing and joking around with them, and hugged each one.

They reminded me that I was ready to let them go as some tattled, hit, and argue on the way home.

So, in a way it’s kind of a bitter sweet experience.

It was an awesome year and I hope I won't forget some of the things the kids taught me. But, I am glad I don’t have to wake up in the morning at 6am. It will be nice to sleep in.

End Your Day With a Splash

Today I went for a walk in the rain. I invited my roommate to come along with me but she wasn’t too thrilled about getting wet and cold. Although I would have liked the company, I decided to go by myself.

It was wonderful walking in rain. I splashed in every puddle. The puddles were perfect for splashing; the water came up to my ankles. The cold water tickled my feet with numbness. I went for a walk around the neighborhood; a few people gave me some weird looks. I am pretty sure they were just jealous that I was out having fun and they weren’t. I talked to a few people who were out taking sensible walks with their umbrellas. There was a group of people eating dinner and watching the rain on their porch. I talked to them too. By then I was soaked. When I started getting the chills I decided to start walking back toward the house.

It was on the way back when I noticed the worms in puddles. My usual feelings of hatred and disgust were starting to stir in me. I mean think about it, pretty soon they would be cooked to a crisp, and I would have to look at there dead little bodies. SICK!

I stopped for a little while and watched the worm stretch itself as long as he could and just float peacefully, enjoying himself. And I believe it was then when I realized, that worms really aren’t that bad, (I can’t believe I am saying this) they just get so caught up in the excitement and pleasure of being out in the rain that by the time the sun comes up to burn them to a brittle little corpse, they have end their life in happiness(assuming they enjoy sizzling in the sun) .

So it should be with us: no matted how hard we have to work in the dirt and grime of the world there will always be a good rainstorm to make us clean, we just need to take the time to appreciate it. When the sun comes up we are ready for whatever comes next. Whether we make it back to the grass or not, it doesn’t matter because we worked hard, and enjoyed life when we could.

I came home drenched from the refreshing rain, made grilled cheese and tomato soup, took a hot shower and read a book. It was a perfect day.

And I think the next time I see a dead fried worm on the sidewalk, I don’t think I will have those strong negative feelings I normally have (I might be grossed out a little), but, I think some of those feeling will be replaced with more positive feeling.

I am actually greatful to be reminded that I should always look for the deeper side of things no matter how silly it sounds.