The Weirdest Feeling

A few of the weirdest feelings:

* For the first night of this school year, I do not have any work for school. Oh, oh, there is plenty of work to do for NEXT year, but for this year, work is done! It is possibly the weirdest feeling ever. Note: I am sitting on my couch wondering if I'm totally crazy because my thoughts are drifting into getting a head start for next year. Ha ha.

* Today was the last day with my 7th graders. This year felt like it ended all of a sudden. I'm definitely ready for a break from work, but I'm not so sure I'm ready to give up my kids quite yet. It's a funny feeling to stand up in front of my kids and end our time together with a test. The only words I could find were, "Make sure you have a pencil." It didn't feel like the end. I will miss them. What a place they have reserved in my heart. What a weird feeling.

* I was brought to tears by a card written by one of my kids today. Somehow, she was able to grasp the dream that I prayed for daily and desired for every student this year. Even through all the chaos, rushing, and craziness of the year, she was able to see my love and passion for teaching. Such an encouragement!

* My first 7th grade class at Shafer are freshman! Today, for the first time, I had students come back to see me before they leave for high school. What a surreal feeling! The joy and tenderness that I felt as I hugged them goodbye reminded me of the place they have in my heart. I am now friends with those kids on Facebook, a coveted privilege they reminded me of that previously had not been theirs. How weird!

*I signed a new lease on my apartment today. This marks the first time since moving out of my parent's house that I will live in the same place for more than a year. Weird, but definitely awesome!

What a blessed life I have been given.