~and it's been a good run after all~

~one final month to go~

This picture of my dad and I means the world to me.  It was taken in May of 1979 on the Sterling College football field after I graduated at long last from college.  I had taken an extra year and a half to complete my degree in elementary education, almost quitting at one point because transferring hours from one college to another had become nearly impossible.  In the end, it all came out in the wash as they say.  With a degree in my hand and a teaching position waiting for me in my hometown of Haven, I set forth to spend my life as an educator.
Daddy was only 56 years old when this picture was taken.  I remember him finding me after commencement was completed and I could tell by the look on his face how proud he was of me.  I have the recollection of rushing up to him and grabbing his neck in a big hug as I thanked him for being there for me, not just on that particular day but always.  Three years later, he would die from lung cancer and I thank God always that at least he got to see me walk across the stage that morning.  For the record, the wind hadn't blown something into our eyes that day.  Daddy was crying and so was I.

 More than 40 years as an educator is a long time.  I knew that it had to end somehow, somewhere along the way.  I can't go on forever in the classroom, but boy would I sure love to.  The path from that day in the Rice County town of Sterling, Kansas led me to so many different places.  I was blessed with classroom experiences that ended up teaching me more sometimes than I could teach my students, and you know what?

 That's not a bad thing.
It's a good thing for those of us who love learning!

 The last date for school this year in Oklahoma is May 8th.  The calendar on the kitchen wall reflects the sobering fact that I am now in the final act, the last month of my teacher's swan song.  The last days of the 2019-2020 school year look so different now as schools are closed and students must remain at home for learning.  It hurts my heart as an educator to have to finish my career in such a manner, but there is no way around it so I am doing my best to stay in contact with my 5th graders in whatever way I can.  I'm so grateful for modern technology that allows me to communicate with my students and their families from the safe confines of our own homes.  It's not like being there in person, but it is definitely the best we have right now so we should all give thanks.

 My final act's performance as a teacher in the closing moment of my swan song, is being filled with much the same as it has been all along.  I'm still teaching, albeit in a totally different manner, yet learning as I go through this new phase for all of us, and doing what to me has been the most important thing of all~

I am still making a difference.
It's been a good run after all.

~teacher picture number 40 gazillion~
At the time it was taken in October, I had no idea it would be the last one for me.
God's plan is not necessarily ours but it's ALWAYS the best.

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