Please be warned. I am feeling sentimental and mushy.
It's crazy to think, but I just finished my 5th year of teaching! This time 5 years ago I was offered my job while packing up Jen's room. (I long term subbed for her at the end of the year) 5 years ago my sister wasn't married, I didn't have an awesome nephew, I never had run more than a mile (and that was a forced mile run for PE) and I could eat anything I wanted without feeling like death. My how things have changed. But I am getting sidetracked.
I was truly blessed this year with the most amazing class I have ever had. There wasn't a day where I left school without having smiled genuinely at something they did that amazed me, without having laughed an actual full bellied laugh (not the usual kid fake laugh), without having fierce hugs by at least half of my class, without feeling full. These kids were almost always, I mean come on they're kids, so kind to each other and to me, and quite sentimental. We had our annual poetry and punch 2 weeks ago where they all share a poem they have worked hard on to an audience of our parents. It's a small way to thank them for everything they do. Well I always end it by sharing a poem I wrote for the kids, and then say my own thank you to the parents. As I finished the poem one of my girls was already crying. As I started thanking my parents, I started crying and she was hysterically crying at this point. She pulled herself together and was fine until 10 minutes later she was sobbing (weird heaving noises included). I hugged her tight and said "It's ok! We still have more than a week together!" Her response while crying? "But it's not enough!" For once in my teaching career, I agreed. It wasn't enough.
The last few days my kids were feeling the end and didn't know what to do. They were always hanging on me, giving me sweet letters (one was "How to Get a Husbin" Don't worry, that will be blogged about ASAP), asking me to loop to be their third grade teacher. If I had a choice, I would without hesitation loop with them. And then again and again until they were on their way to middle school. Even my parents have been amazing. I have been close to tears talking to some of them and hearing all they wanted to share about how their kids have grown, how thankful they are, how much they'll miss me. Right back atcha.
Today at the end of the day we circled up like I always do at the end of the year to thank them for a great year and share anything else. About 3 words in and I was a mess. I don't think my kids have ever been so still and quite while I was talking. As I looked into each of their faces I drank in that moment. Their eyes locked on mine, some crying, some trying to be tough and hold back tears. I felt...sad, excited about seeing them grow, and grateful I had this year with them. How do you say goodbye to a group you wish you could hold on to forever? I wanted to stay in that moment with them as long as possible.
I had to literally pry some of the girls off of me when I was hugging them goodbye. The only way I made it through saying goodbye was knowing I would see some of them in a few hours at a pool party one of the girls was throwing for the class. When I showed up I felt like a rock star! It just so happened all of the girls (the boys were too busy playing football in the pool) were by the back door when I walked up to the front door and they all let out the craziest shrieking squealing yell and started chanting my name. It was awesome.
That's how I will remember them. My cheerleaders. Each one with a place in my heart map.
I say hello to summer somewhat bitter sweetly, and with a full heart.
