It's hard to say goodbye to my 57 little ones. Yes, I'll see them next year and the year after that. They'll wave to me as they march to library and come up for hugs during recess. Still, I'll never again see them each and every day. They have grown from babies into first graders, just as they do every year. And they aren't mine anymore. (But somehow they'll always be mine--just like the sixth graders who came by today to say goodbye as they move on to middle school and got a hug.)
It's hard to say goodbye to mommies and daddies, especially when we've taught all the other children in a family and this was their youngest and last. I have a hard time giving that final hug, knowing that we won't be chatting on cold winter mornings while waiting for the door to open, we won't be sharing looks of delight at the cute kinderspeak while mom is volunteering, we won't be enjoying Christmas and valentine parties together every again, we won't be laughing at each other's Halloween costumes.
Some parents know they can't hold it together and dash out with a quick hug. Some just can't hold it together from the time they drop their little one off on the last day and I need to reassure them that we'll see each other next year, that it isn't all over just because kindergarten is. I don't know if they believe me or not. Some can't bear to leave the classroom when we release the kids and stay behind to talk and reassure us (and themselves) that there is a younger sibling soon to arrive.
Some parents get me going and once those tears start, it's hard to stop weeping. It's best not to think to much or too deeply on the last day or else tears will be what our students will remember instead of all the fun.
The worst time is when I get a hug from a child I know is moving away. I've grown to love them, care for them, worry about them--and I know I'll never see them again. That's hard.
Still, I'm ready for some vacation. No clocks. No schedules. I'm ready for walks with friends, lifting weights to regain some strength lost in the carpal tunnel, garden projects involving dirt and change, and sewing projects that deplete the fabric being stored. I'm ready for ponytails, shorts, sunblock, Roxy tees, and flip-flops. I'm ready for visits to and from family. I'm ready for long days and warm nights and lots of sunshine. I'm ready for time. Lots and lots of time. I'm ready for things to slow down and have-to-do become what-shall-I-do-next.
Ahhh, summer vacation, summer vacation, SUMMER VACATION. Those are two beautiful words!
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