Yet in the midst of all this joy and love, I feel so deeply saddened by the circumstances that ended our time together. I feel as if my students have been robbed of the final months of preschool magic that they so deserve. No last hugs or high fives. No cupcakes and homemade graduation caps. No building full of family and friends bursting with pride, unable to hold back those tears. At the end of each school year when I take all of the beautiful art down and tuck it away in folders to go home we participate in a meaningful reflection.
"Ms. Renee, you member when I painted you that?"
"That project was my favorite!"
"That picture is from the woods when we played together!"
When I emptied my classroom walls of our creations this year, all alone in a classroom still littered with half finished projects, I cried. I wasn't even fully aware of the power of this moment with my students until it was taken away from me.
It feels selfish to mourn the loss of my time with them. I know they will all go on to do beautiful things, I know that they are well prepared, extremely capable, and supported by some of the most amazing families and human beings I have ever known. I know all of these things, but that doesn't make it any easier to let go.
As I prepare for our Zoom meeting graduation, I must acknowledge and accept that this will be the very last time I see some of these children. And while I can't hug them tight and tell them how proud I am of all they have accomplished, this will have to do. I will soak up this moment and add it to my ongoing list of all that I am grateful for including another year spent learning and growing alongside my students.
