As the school year draws to a close, so does another year’s journey in both teachers’ and students’ lives. For some children, this sudden abandon from all they have grown accustomed to (and love) is not an easy transition.
I recall, several years ago, when one of my beloved students had a very hard time ending the year. Any time there was any reference made to the summer holidays, this otherwise happy-go-lucky girl, would break down into tears. It completely took me by surprise (and melted my heart) when she confessed to being sad about not having me as her teacher anymore (she had been with me for both JK and SK). I consoled her as best as I could and we came up with a plan – she would come in to help me pack for the rest of the week and also be my special helper during recess the following school year. It wasn’t an ending. It was a new beginning.
It has been two years since, and this precious child still comes in every single day to help me. I appreciate her dedication and support, but more than anything else I value the lesson she has taught me and continues to remind me of each day. Regardless of age, background, title, position, etc., there is a beautiful bond that exists between people, if we just recognize it and let it flourish.
With that thought, I’d like to share a poem I wrote. As I often do with my students (and family and friends alike), I would love to hear your interpretations of it.
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Thank you,
Lora
We Made a Pact
We made a pact, he and I.
He’d come out and I’d join too.
We made a pact, not long ago.
He’d bring the warmth and I’d rejoice.
We made a pact, this much is true.
He’d light the sky and I’d lead the way.
We made a pact, but he bailed out.
Just like that, got up and left.
I searched for him as night crept in,
across the field,
between the clouds,
over the hills.
No sign of him.
I called to him but silence followed.
I grunted, frowned – I was not pleased.
I won’t forgive him.
I won’t. I won’t.
And now, because of his shenanigans,
Mommy said to go inside.
I ate my dinner but I was mad.
I brushed my teeth but I was livid.
I lay in bed, covered in heaps.
I won’t forgive this – we had a pact.
I tossed and turned and missed him so.
Perhaps I should forgive him.
I closed my eyes as sleep crept in.
Maybe, just maybe, I thought,
I’ll give him one last chance tomorrow.
We Made a Pact by Lora Rozler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.