It is said that time flies when you are having fun...but I would also like to say that time also flies when you really don't want it to. I was talking to my boss and it was one of those stressful kind of days and she said, "I just wish that Friday was here already!" and then she looked at me said, "Wait! No, I don't want Friday to come coz that would mean come next week, you are gone. I don't want that!" I just started laughing, but inside, I was sad too. Yes, things were pretty stressful today, but I was hoping that time would just slow down just a little bit.
Four more days. Why am I counting down the days?! I don't even know...but whenever one of my keiki's gives me a hug, I can't help but hold on just a little longer and squeeze just a little bit tighter knowing that I won't always be here anymore. I'm not going to lie, I knew that it was going to be this hard...but that doesn't make me any more prepared for the goodbyes.
Since Nicole had given the letter to the parents that I was leaving yesterday, a lot of the parents are coming up to me and making it a point to talk to me. I am proud to say that I do have a relationship with all the parents that come to my school. I also make it a point to get to know the parents of the keikis that come to our school. I mean, I would want that too if I had a child. So, reminiscing with the parents is hard as well. But I like it, because they reassure me that no matter what, we DO live on an island, I will see them sooner or later. :)
I have been trying to prepare my "mine" that come next week, I won't be here. I have been telling that just like "Olivia" (a former student of mine who went to a new school a few weeks ago) And that there will be times when I will be able to visit, but for the most part, I won't be their teacher anymore. And I have been trying to incorporate it in my circle time. I have a post-it on the calendar so they can have a visual one when I'll be leaving. And then when I do my feeling faces, when I get to the sad face, I always ask the question, " What kind of things make you sad?!" And it's so adorable because they know my next question is "What are the kind of things that you can do to make your friend smile again if they are sad?!" And you know the kind of answers are like, give them a bang-biscuit [high-five], a hug, ask them if they are okay, ask them if they want to play with you, ask them if they want to be your friend...and so forth. Well, my keikis' always jump the gun, so whenever I ask this question before I even finish the question they all drown me in hugs and "lovings."
Today, when I asked the question what makes you sad, I said that it's making me sad because I won't be able to see them all the time anymore and that I was going to miss them all so very much. My lil Benji then proceeds to launch himself at me and give me one of those hugs where his arms encircle my neck and his head laying on my shoulder and he says, "But you don't have to be sad." I asked him, "But why, Benji, it makes me sad that I won't see you next week." And he said, "But Aunty, I am here now. And whenever you feel sad and you need a hug, you can come back and I will give you a hug." Oh, my heart cracked just a little bit more...even writing it makes me tear up.
Just this little anecdote lets me know how much of an influence I have with my keiki. Benji has been in my class the longest so far. And he has seen some of his classmates come and go...whether that is to a new school or to the next classroom when their birthday comes around. And whenever one of mine leave my classroom, I always tells them that if ever they are sad and need a hug, all they need to do is ask their teacher if they can come and get a hug from me. Transitions are hard for my little ones and so they know that I'm just right across the courtyard from them, so all they have to do is look up to see that I'm still here and they don't have to be sad. Benji has heard me say that...and he was now comforting me and it made my heart hurt knowing that I'll be leaving him soon.
I love this quote that Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." And it is so true. I get sad sometimes because I know that my keiki are so young (2 years-old) that I know that they won't really remember me in the coming years, but I can always have hope that they will remember how I made them feel. I love each and every child that walks through the gates of my school. And even though I might forget what their name was, I will remember their little spark in my life, and I can only hope that they can remember the love that I had for them and how I tried to make their learning experience fun...but also that I did care for them.
Four more days. Why am I counting down the days?! I don't even know...but whenever one of my keiki's gives me a hug, I can't help but hold on just a little longer and squeeze just a little bit tighter knowing that I won't always be here anymore. I'm not going to lie, I knew that it was going to be this hard...but that doesn't make me any more prepared for the goodbyes.
Since Nicole had given the letter to the parents that I was leaving yesterday, a lot of the parents are coming up to me and making it a point to talk to me. I am proud to say that I do have a relationship with all the parents that come to my school. I also make it a point to get to know the parents of the keikis that come to our school. I mean, I would want that too if I had a child. So, reminiscing with the parents is hard as well. But I like it, because they reassure me that no matter what, we DO live on an island, I will see them sooner or later. :)
I have been trying to prepare my "mine" that come next week, I won't be here. I have been telling that just like "Olivia" (a former student of mine who went to a new school a few weeks ago) And that there will be times when I will be able to visit, but for the most part, I won't be their teacher anymore. And I have been trying to incorporate it in my circle time. I have a post-it on the calendar so they can have a visual one when I'll be leaving. And then when I do my feeling faces, when I get to the sad face, I always ask the question, " What kind of things make you sad?!" And it's so adorable because they know my next question is "What are the kind of things that you can do to make your friend smile again if they are sad?!" And you know the kind of answers are like, give them a bang-biscuit [high-five], a hug, ask them if they are okay, ask them if they want to play with you, ask them if they want to be your friend...and so forth. Well, my keikis' always jump the gun, so whenever I ask this question before I even finish the question they all drown me in hugs and "lovings."
Today, when I asked the question what makes you sad, I said that it's making me sad because I won't be able to see them all the time anymore and that I was going to miss them all so very much. My lil Benji then proceeds to launch himself at me and give me one of those hugs where his arms encircle my neck and his head laying on my shoulder and he says, "But you don't have to be sad." I asked him, "But why, Benji, it makes me sad that I won't see you next week." And he said, "But Aunty, I am here now. And whenever you feel sad and you need a hug, you can come back and I will give you a hug." Oh, my heart cracked just a little bit more...even writing it makes me tear up.
Just this little anecdote lets me know how much of an influence I have with my keiki. Benji has been in my class the longest so far. And he has seen some of his classmates come and go...whether that is to a new school or to the next classroom when their birthday comes around. And whenever one of mine leave my classroom, I always tells them that if ever they are sad and need a hug, all they need to do is ask their teacher if they can come and get a hug from me. Transitions are hard for my little ones and so they know that I'm just right across the courtyard from them, so all they have to do is look up to see that I'm still here and they don't have to be sad. Benji has heard me say that...and he was now comforting me and it made my heart hurt knowing that I'll be leaving him soon.
I love this quote that Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." And it is so true. I get sad sometimes because I know that my keiki are so young (2 years-old) that I know that they won't really remember me in the coming years, but I can always have hope that they will remember how I made them feel. I love each and every child that walks through the gates of my school. And even though I might forget what their name was, I will remember their little spark in my life, and I can only hope that they can remember the love that I had for them and how I tried to make their learning experience fun...but also that I did care for them.
Tea...tea not only is yummy...but it also soothes my sad soul. I hope one day that I can have a HUMONGOUS tea collection of everything tea related! *laughs*
