Getting back

The year is winding down. All that meant to me before was a trip home and then the craziness of next year will start. All of which I’m totally ready for. But today we went to McAuliffe to say good-bye to our kids. It is the last day of school for them. I definitely wasn’t ready for that. I’m so lucky I’ll get to see a lot of the kids again next year, but some I won’t. Especially my three 8th graders I’ve been tutoring/mentoring two days a week for pretty much the whole year. I made a promise to myself to go see them at the 9th grade academy. They all play sports too so I’m going to go watch their games. Not to mention our kiddos in after school and lunch clubs. I remember missing them over winter break and I don’t know why that didn’t clue me in that I’d miss them even more now. These kids have been our focus for the past 10 months. Everything we’ve planned from lunch clubs, after school, family nights, a legacy project and so much more…. has all been for them. That’s amazing, but it makes leaving them so hard. It’s not hard because of how much we’re helping them and all we want to do is keep it up. This is the part when we realize just how much they inspire, teach and share so much of themselves with us. This is the part when all I want to do is give my all next year. Not because I want to change the world, but because these kids are some of the most amazing people I know and they deserve nothing less than everything I’m possibly capable of giving. I want to get to know these kids; their struggles, joys and laughter. I don’t care how much harder it’ll make leaving them after another 10 months. I was so touched by the assemblies for the 8th graders today; recognizing their accomplishments and letting them have fun with dancing and a slideshow. Christa McAuliffe Jr. High School will forever have a very special spot in my heart and I’m a far better person because of it.