My last "closing ceremony"

We don't call it a graduation.  We call it a "closing ceremony" and, of course, "an ice cream social."  I overheard T calling a friend to invite her, saying, "it's really tight--you should come!"

We made our usual speeches about each child and each adult as we handed out certificates to them.  At the end, our three child care teachers stood up and said a few words about me as I "retire" from Family Literacy.  I don't remember everything they said, but all three got teary.  J said something about there being nothing phony about me and that I made them work hard and the students work hard.  There were many nods!  H said that hardly a day went by that I didn't make them feel appreciated in some way and that she had never had that before in any job.   S said that she had been with me since the first month she came to South Bend and that she couldn't have done her master's degree without my help and that she had told me things she hadn't even told her husband.  That may be true about what she has told me--her life could be a novel.

I felt especially good about H's comment because I think it is so important to feel appreciated and I am so glad they felt that way.  And I truly did appreciate them and their patience and hard work.  I could not take care of little children so well.

Then three students stood up and spoke.  T must have planned her talk, but J and LB were spontaneous.  Both J and LB stressed that I gave them confidence in themselves--that they could do the work and they could succeed.  Again, that was about the nicest thing they could say to me and I felt very affirmed.

I was given a peace lily in which everyone wrote a few words on the pot.  I read the card and its expressions of love and appreciation when I got home.  And that is when I did weep a bit!

But I am not sorry or sentimental about my decision.  I do not want to quit teaching.  I am eager for next year and a regular GED-ABE class.  Family Literacy is a wonderful program, but as one of my former colleagues put it, "Are you ready for something with less drama?"  I am!

Letting go of the butterflies

We went to Potowatami Zoo on Tuesday and had our picnic afterwards.  We had purchased five caterpillars a few weeks ago and watched them turn into chrysalis.  About a week ago, each one turned into a butterfly.  It was amazing to me that all five survived and grew and were ready to go.  After our meal was finished, Miss H opened the cage.  One by one the butterflies hesitantly sat on the rim.  And then each one suddenly found its wings and off it went.  It was a beautiful scene--teachers, parents, and kids--all watching and cheering as the butterflies went into the world.

A few days later, I was thinking, "Fly, LB; fly, TM; fly, V; fly, TB; fly, C.  We're ready to let you go.  Take the exam, get your diploma, and go on with your lives.  This is just the beginning!"