The Golden Rope

What is is about the end of a school year that gives you strange feelings? It can't be sadness? It's an exciting time. As a teacher, I pretty much looked forward to the last day - just as much as I looked forward to the first. As much as I enjoy the profession, a mountain of stress from a variety of sources is lifted on that last day. I can't describe the feeling - it's just strange. It's strange living outside of the profession just as much as it was inside. To me, it's ending a year and starting a new one - and resembles nothing of the calendar year.

Owen had his "last" day of preschool today (PreKindergarten). His class sang and walked on stage to receive their diplomas. When I first spotted him in his hat - that's when the strange feeling rushed in. I was thrilled that he had a hat. It was made of black felt fabric with a golden rope tassel, but it was still a hat. I immediately had thoughts of what my feelings would be when he actually has "the hat." Senior year - high school. I know it's going to go by lightning fast. Time ticks and so do we. And thinking a little more about it, I'll be in my fifties - which, by the way, is the new forties. I rushed back to the moment. So handsome and sweet - this kid.

Afterward, the entire Pre-K class, parents, grandparents, teachers, and staff went on the playground for a picnic. We made plans to meet up over the summer in an effort to hold on to the relationships we've made. It'll be tough one - out of nine students in Owen's class, only one will attend the same elementary school. Families will surely move, and new Kindergarten relationships will be made.

The end of a school year is a strange feeling for me. Can't explain it. Exciting day - even though Owen is still trying to figure out the meaning of it all (graduating).