Farewell First Grade

It is the last day of school.
It is snowing. But, I wore flip-flops today anyway....well, once I got here. I wore my boots on the walk.

As I sit here in my classroom, the walls stripped of all our work and classroom things. The names removed from the cubbies and the coat hooks, the name tags off the desks, I find myself feeling at a loss.
Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to get home. After all, I get to be part of a dear friends wedding and celebrate as I myself get married. And for goodness sakes I can put my boots away for at least 6 months.
But. I won't be able to see all these little faces everyday anymore. I won't be able to walk into a classroom 5 or 6 days a week and feel proud of every ounce of hard work I put into it. I was so sad yesterday when I unstapled all of the things we worked so hard to make right for our classroom.

And most of all, how in the world do I say goodbye to 21 kids that have made this year what it has been? They have both loved me and hated me. They have both (nearly) hit me and hugged me. They have also made me laugh and cry. My heart has been beaming and breaking over and over this year with them. And today, after we clean our desks and say goodbye, that is it? I'll never see them again?

How on earth does a teacher do this every year?

I am certain a few weeks will go by, and I will have adjusted back into life. I will remember my first graders, and think of them fondly. I know I'll be just fine, and in a few years time perhaps I'll get the hang of giving my heart away every year and asking for it back at the end. I'll be a champ at saying goodbye with a smile on my face. But, this year, I am not yet a champ.

I'll bet the students today will lead the way. They will say goodbye and give me hugs and tell me to have fun in Colorado and have a nice wedding. They will keep light and fun and sweet. And forever I will appreciate their happiness when they walk out the door, because after all, they are headed to 2nd grade, where everyone will be there once again. And they have 3 whole months homework free!

Either that, or I will stuff them all in my backpack, and bring them home with me. I have been thinking Colorado is lacking in Eskimo kiddos. :)

Wish me luck, as I leave June Nelson today!