Saying Goodbye Doesn't Mean Anything

"Saying goodbye doesn't mean anything. It's the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it." ~Trey Parker

On Friday I taught my last class at Covenant Christian Academy. CCA was a "home away from home" while I worked full time during Adam's seminary journey. I say "home away from home" because I spent a lot of time there, teaching, planning, creating, etc, but also because I found community there. Having a job that I loved was a huge part of my settling in when we moved to New England. It gave me purpose (and kept me busy) while Adam was attending classes and writing papers (so many papers!). Kim Russell, a co-worker, took me in from the very beginning. I think she was just being nice at first—making sure the new girl was settling in—but somewhere along the way she became a dear friend. We spent many a planning period chatting, pulled away only by students arriving for one of our classes. She prayed with me for a child, encouraged me through our time of waiting, and celebrated our pregnancy with sincere joy. She loves Joseph dearly and I cherish that. I chaperoned the 8th grade trip which she leads and one of our favorite memories is sneaking away for milkshakes while students explored a D.C. museum.

It seems strange to say goodbye - especially to my students. The school year has always ended and we always say goodbye for the Summer, so I haven't figured out how to say goodbye without some part of me expecting to see them next year. I've taught many of them for multiple years, one group of them for four years - we're a little family of sorts. There are quote books, bad habits, inside jokes, etc. There are things I wish they would forget and many things I hope they'll always remember.

I hope they know that I've learned from them - to laugh at myself and to cherish the fresh start of each day, to say "I'm sorry" and to try again. I hope they remember that I believe in them and that every problem has a solution. I hope they know how to solve radical equations or to write a congruence proof (at least for their final next week ;)), but more than that I hope they remember that they CAN. They are good at math. And on the days when they don't feel like they're good at anything, I hope they remember that I love them. At the end of the day, they are my "kids." And I can't really say goodbye - I don't know how. So, instead, I'll say what I say every year - Have a great Summer and I'll miss you.