Bittersweet

So, I am a teacher, in the literal sense of the word.  I teach kindergarten at a public school in Renton.  Today was the last day of school.  For some reason this year’s last day caught up to me without the usual anticipation, excitement, and longing.  Maybe it is because I have this OTHER impending date that I have been so focused on, or maybe it is because our lovely Seattle sunshine hasn’t shown herself lately.  Who knows, but as I sit here and reflect on the year, I get that old familiar feeling.  Bittersweet.  A year of hard work, triumphant moments, tough days, breakthroughs and set backs all done and over with.  Packaged up and sent off as the 2010-2011 school year.  I have my token class picture lined up on my wall and then my mind begins to plan for how to do things even better next year.  24 kiddoes sent off into the world…will they be back at our school, will we maintain our connection?  All the questions and worries about each child, and then looking on to starting over with new relationships next year.  Bittersweet.
Tomorrow I will go in, finish cleaning up my classroom, take down all the learning we did, wipe off the posters and throw out the used materials.  Check out.  This year marks a mile stone for me.  It is the last year I will be closing up shop as just a teacher, daughter and a wife.  Next year; teacher, wife, daughter and mom…