One of the secretaries of the school I used to work at is retiring, so me and a few other online school pals stopped by to wish her glad tidings.
Friends.
I didn’t realize how much I missed the school community.
Students remembered me! And shouted my name! And I was wearing a mask! But they knew who I was!
I miss them all so much. And all my teacher friends-don’t get me started. It was hard and lovely all at the same time.
Teaching. Hard job. But so special.
Sometimes when I am teaching my online students, I get completely hit with the reality of our life today. A year ago, I would have never fathomed the world as it is today. And do you ever stop and really think about how different life is?
I am happy to report that I love my online students as much as I have ever loved in person students. I am also happy to report that it appears they feel the same way:
As evidenced by this student’s math lesson submission.
I couldn’t really grade her understanding of our math unit, but she definitely scored some points.
***
Kate is finished with her first semester of her senior year.
And she came home and took a nap.
With Niko, Rio, and Charlie happy to see her home. She will be 18 soon.
I shall have this day for mourning.
Also. Rio really likes the Christmas tree.
Which is a bummer, yet also cute.
My heart is sad tonight, Reader. I am not sure why. I think I feel old. And blessed. And amazed at how many twists and turns life has brought me.
When Kate was a newborn, I talked David into getting her pictures taken at Sears.
This is how old I am.
We were flat broke. And we splurged on newborn pictures. I remember when we were taking them, I felt like they were not very good. I cried and called my mom. I told her I wasted money on pictures and they weren’t even going to be good. She told me they would probably be lovely and it was going to be ok.
And compared to pictures of today, they probably aren’t that great.
But I love this picture.
And my heart hurts to think of the time that has passed. And how hard it was to pay for those pictures. And how much they now mean to me.
And I hope I have done a good job.
Oh how we moms have regrets, some legit, some not. But we continue to try our best no matter what. Those pictures are so precious, the Sears ones, the nearly 18 year old surrounded by household animals, and the cat in the Christmas tree.
Best of all, your former students remembering you!! Behind a mask!! And teacher friends to talk with.
Tonight a friend and I drove to the church parking lot where our Relief Society (women’s organization) presidency served us hot cocoa and gave us a wrapped present and took pictures and played music. We were so happy to see our friends again-closer than on zoom church!
Thank you, Ruth 🙂
I don’t know you but I’ve been reading your blog for years now and I can tell that you’ve done a great job. ♥️ She’ll be okay.
Ditto ❤️
Thank you 🙂
Awwww a momma just loving her baby, so precious.
Yes. Many Sears photos, and then Walmart ones, too. Good memories. Be proud, mama. Look at that amazing human you created and guided to such maturity and greatness!