Why I HATE the last day of school

I HATE the last day of school

They have gone, school has ended

The echoes of their laughter haves ceased to reverberate

I have given my last hug and waved my last wavy and sent them off to adventures unknown

The memories mingle with the dust particles that dance through my classroom

Oh how I HATE the last day of school

Together we have grown and lived the daring adventures of math and science, language arts and social studies

I expected much and they challenged me to be a better teacher and rise above

This room that is  now blanketed with silence, was once filled and over flowing with their laughter and kindness

I watched over them, pushed them, challenged them, and would not rest until they had grown

And now they have and I am glad

But

Oh how I hate the last day of school

For it means that the laughter and funny smiles, the favorite books and stories have ended

I will no longer be the one to watch their eyes light up when they discover they can write a whole sentence with no help

 I will no longer be the one to see them ask for forgiveness and see a friendship restored

 I will no longer be the one to bandage scrapes and put on magic lotion that can make the world a nice place again

My job is finished and it is with such mixed feelings I watch them skip out the gate

We have triumphed and finished a whole year together – oh the joy and relief

But then comes the grief for what once was will never be again

So I will send them on to the next teacher who will teach them well and challenge them to be excellent

And I will remember . . .

Remember the laughter and tears and quietly place all this in a corner of my heart

I will also remember that after the summer, laughter will visit me again in the form a new class with new faces to love

As I lock the door, I will remember that it has been an incredible year and the pain of the last day was worth it all

But I still will always hate the last day of school