The final day of summer is an emotional overwhelming day.
It’s a day filled with regret, sorrow, loss, a smidge of excitement, and a bit
of nervousness. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher or a student. If you’re
going to sixth grade or starting your 22nd year of teaching, it’s
all the same feelings, just in varying degrees.
This year doesn’t seem any different than any other year.
Sure, new faces and new personalities will be present in room 146, but it’s the
same concept. I teach, students learn. I joke, students pretend to laugh. I
enforce rules, students still break them. I advise, students listen (or don’t).
School hasn’t changed, I should know, I’ve been in school all my life. The core
concepts of school are still the same. So this “end of summer” feeling is still
the same. And yet, I’m still surprised by these emotions. Do I wish I could
rewind summer? Not really. I loved my summer and I wouldn’t want to alter any
of the events that took place; I just want a continuation. I think that’s
called retirement.
But soon this will pass. Soon it will be Thanksgiving, a new
semester, spring break, and then graduation. And then summer will start again. And
time will continue on repeat. The same feelings and emotions will cycle back
through again and again. So in reality, I feel this way every year. And yes, I’m
losing summer. But we’ll meet each other again. And even though we will be
separated for awhile; we will come back to each other, and pick up right where
we left off. Summer’s like a best friend, always shows up when you need her,
bringing warmth and a blissfully, enjoyable time.
