Today was my last day working at The Shepherd's School. It was like any other normal day, I made lunch for 60 some children, filed some paperwork, picked up toys, and wiped a few runny noses. I said the same things I've said countless times, "finish your milk", "keep your hands to yourself please", "my friends why is it so loud in here?"...
To say I have loved every second of my job wouldn't be totally true. I had my days, like you would with just about any job. I mean getting puked on isn't glamorous and coming home with glitter in your hair and green marker all over your hands may increase your water bill. Caring for children requires more than just being on your toes, you have to keep them off each others too! You don't just read stories, you help write them. Children have this amazing ability to push you the the point of pulling out your hair one minute and then make you laugh so hard your sides hurt the next. The amount of energy they have may drain you of all yours. And somehow they wiggle their way into your heart. That made any bad day at work worth it, I loved every second of that!
Saying good-bye is hard. I wanted to help the kids understand and give them ways to process the fact that I was leaving, hence the paper chain count down. We read a book about saying good-byes, I showed them a picture of my house, and we talked about where NC is and how long it will take to drive there from TX. Today I walked around to each class and hugged all those precious little people. I couldn't help crying, no matter how much I tried. I will cherish so many memories of the dozens of children I cared for in my 3 years there.
Sweet friend, you were such a blessing to their lives as well! You will be missed. Only God knows how you truly touched each one; won't it be fun in heaven to run into one of those little ones and have them tell you "I remember when you hugged me after I got a scrape on the knee" or "I remember that you were always so kind and loving, even when we weren't behaivng well". And just think, you get to touch even more lives in the years to come, wherever God leads you! Love you!!!--Annette
ReplyDeleteJamie-
ReplyDeleteI know that the kids were blessed by getting to have you as their teacher. You have touch each one of their lives. Many lives changed for the better. Thank you from showing the kids Christ's love everyday. Love ya Nicole