You see, my school right now is experiencing the end of an era. One of our teachers, who has been with our school for 38 years, is retiring. This afternoon, we gathered together to celebrate her career, her accomplishments, her greatness. And it was glorious! Perfect! Everything that the party planners envisioned happened. The food was perfect, the fellowship was wonderful, the surprises were kept surprises until the end. It was a beautiful, wonderful tribute to a great teacher, a great person, a great friend.
My friend. I have gone through retirements before. Several teachers, great amazing teachers, have walked through the doors of our school and into their retirement years, leaving behind a full staff of people that love and care for them. And I have shed tears at many of those retirement parties. This one was different. I didn't cry at the party. Inside my heart was beaming for my friend. Looking around the room and seeing all of the people that love her and care for her. That was the best moment ever. And I couldn't be sad! I couldn't be sad knowing that this remarkable woman had impacted so many people! Students. Parents. Staff. Family. Friends. She has altered the lives of so many! She has bettered so many people! She has had her hand in changing hearts and minds and molding people into being amazing individuals. Whether that is encouraging students to work harder to succeed or walking teachers through tough situations that make them better professionals.
I have been honored to grow ever so close with this person. I have worked with her for the past thirteen years. My whole career thus far. I was a new SLP that was introduced to this school. And I was intimidated by her. I had heard she was amazing. That she was a champion for her students. And I quickly found out how true that was. She was amazing. She is amazing. And I admired her from afar for a few years. And then I started talking to her. And pretty soon we were eating lunch together every day. And then I was telling her everything. Sharing with her about my life and getting to know her. I adored her! She was incredible! I quickly knew that I was going to have to pay attention to this one, for she was very wise, not only about school topics, but about life in general. She and I began to be bonded in several ways and I was so thankful. When I think about stories to share about our time together, there are many that flood into my heart and head. Our first IEP meeting together. How she saved me from a difficult student in her calm, firm miracle ways. How she tried so hard to have her daughter and I be friends and we didn't listen, but now we also share an amazingly close friendship. How she announced to the staff at a meeting after open house that I was pregnant with Amelia. And how I decided it was also appropriate for her to announce my pregnancy with Emerson. How when Amelia was born she held her and gazed into her eyes and loved her and was the best other grandma in the world. How both of my girls adore her and how she adores them right back. How I know I can go to her classroom with protocols and brainstorm testing with kids. How in meetings together she and I can lock eyes and have an entire conversation with each other without saying a word. How she rushed to my side the night that Brian died and sat up with me all night long, holding me on the couch and letting me sob, and often crying right along with me. How she walked and guided and learned and helped me over the course of our years after Brian died. How she introduced me again to her daughter and son and husband and they took my girls and me into their hearts as a part of their family. And there are a thousand more memories that I cherish in my heart forever.
But another memory was etched into my heart tonight. One of her old students came to the party tonight. When the floor was opened up for stories and memories and words of praise for her, this student jumped right in. He praised her for making him the man he is today. He reflected on their time together in class. He hugged her and cried with her and thanked her for all she had done for him. And he turned and he thanked us, a room full of teachers he didn't know, for our service to kids. And a new memory was made. I will forever remember that moment because I want that! I want to be the kind of teacher that she is! And I already credit my friend for making me a better SLP over my 13 years. She has molded me and shaped me into being a better teacher for my students. But, I still want to be just like her when I grow up. That's the kind of teacher she is! I want to impact my students and parents and colleagues the way she has over her 38 years in this profession. I want to change kids' lives. I want parents to remember me as an advocate for my students. I want to impact colleagues in a positive way. I want to be someone who has students come back in 25 years and tell me that they are who they are today because of me!
Our jobs are so hard! And they get harder all of the time. But all that melted away today as I watched this teacher and this student interact and embrace. Our basic job, when we take away the testing and curriculum and paperwork and the things that make our jobs virtually impossible, is to raise these kids, raise these families, and raise each other. To be the best we can be and help our students be the best they can be. So one more lesson from my dear sweet friend: be there, listen, help make these kids into the adults that will come back and thank me for making them who they are.
An end of an era. At the close of the party, I got into my truck to drive home,
and made it about 100 yards down the road and sobbed. My heart is so happy tonight! Being able to give my friend the send off that she deserves makes me completely happy. But my heart is also breaking knowing that I will begin to navigate school life without my friend, without my person. That I will be on my own, much like the students that we raise and send on to better things. So, perhaps it's time for me to grow up. Step up into her shoes (as tiny as my feet are in her BIG shoes) and be the start of the next era. Because that student's speech changed my thinking and changed my heart. This is the end of an era for my friend and for our school. But what a God-given opportunity for me to change my perspective, love on my school babies, and know that maybe, just maybe, I can be the beginning of the next era.
I love you, my friend, with all my heart. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me! I am eternally grateful that our paths have crossed. I'm grateful that you adopted me and molded me and worked with me, perhaps to prepare me for just this occasion. God blessed me with you, so that I may bless others the way you have blessed so many! I am a better person for knowing you! I am so happy for you that you will get to rest and relax! Job well done, good and faithful servant! May God bless you always and forever!
The end of an era...so a new era can begin!
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