08 July 2013

finished.

for the most part, tonight was my final time at school. i filed documents, deleted folders, finalized lists, covered shelves. i took down the stuffed seagull that's flown over every desk i've had. recycled the remains of my personalized notepad. left treasures for colleagues. turned in my keys. reminisced, and cried.

here's a motley collection of things i had set aside during the days i spent clearing out and packing. together, it forms a collage that represents everything i believed in as a teacher, all the things that were important to me: kids, knowledge, wisdom, books, curiosity, colleagues, developmental stages, wonder, laughter. and fun. always fun.

5 comments:

Star said...

Lovely, thank you.

susan t. landry said...

congratulations, chris.
you have been such a special teacher. but i know that will not end; the venue may change, but all these things you care so deeply about will find a new home. it will be just another adventure to see where your own impossible to retire passion for "kids, knowledge, wisdom, books, curiosity, colleagues, developmental stages, wonder, laughter. and fun. always fun" takes you next.

~she~ said...

Maybe you should mount those things in shadow box. It makes for a very interesting display!

Sorry the end was emotional. Time to sit back & relax with a good book!

My Maine Blog said...

Looks like you had an amazing career as a teacher and just think of all the lives you've touched over the years. Wishing you lots of peace and happiness in retirement....we all go through a bittersweet transition when it comes to giving up such a big part of our lives...everything changes we just have to be ready for it. Hugs

Linda said...

Such a collection of memories!! All there for you to see plus all teh memories of the heart!