First Day of School

Today is the first day of school and I am not there. It is strange to not be going to work today, tomorrow or any day this year. I am so happy to be staying home with Ella this year. I look forward to be able to have play dates, go to the library's reading hour, meet Ben for the random lunch in the park, and number of other things staying home allows me to do. But at the same time I will miss school.

I will miss the students, the routine, the events, my colleagues, teaching history, seeing students "get it", discussions about education, holidays in school, special breaks, and the list goes on.

I will not miss grading, getting up early, tests, complaints, fire drills, emails, state requirements, waiting for the buses, students misbehaving, or the like.

I am surprised by my lack of complete and utter joy over staying home. I am so happy to stay home with Ella, to have this time with her and to support Ben in his preparation for his Doctorate. But at the same time I will miss the classroom. I am going to cherish this season in life though. I will not wish one day away while I am home because I know that this season is short. Before I know it I will be back in the classroom and Ella will not be a little girl anymore. She already has grown so fast. She is no longer a baby. I have a toddler. So with that in mind I will embrace this season. I will soak it all up and treasure it.