Tony and I have often discussed (especially after Tony started going back to school) how much the teacher makes a difference. If you enjoy the teacher you will enjoy the class, and ultimately learn more. Liam, Emma and Fox all loved their teachers this year, and it shows.
Liam's teacher was above the mark. With wanting to still become an elementary school teacher, I've talked to many of my friends/family who are teachers and asked them, "With all the politics, paperwork, testing and hoops that you have to jump through is it still worth it?" And the answer I've got most often is a reluctant no. It's not worth the headache and the joy of teaching is being sucked out by government and rules.
Mr. Douglas was different. He never let the headache of all the behind the scenes be shown to the kids. He took each of the kids as his own. He was disappointed in them if they didn't try their best and put in the effort. He was happy with their successes and sad with their sorrows. He was amazing. And Liam drank in that care, expectation and love. He loved Liam and Liam loved him.
Emma's teacher Ms. Beisner and Fox's teacher Mrs. Fisher were also amazing. Being a teacher must be one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences. To grow to love kids for 9 months to the point of where they become your "kids," to work with, laugh with, cry with these kids and then have to let them go. I am ever so grateful.
Grateful that they loved my kids and my kids knew it enough to feel sadness that they wouldn't feel their teacher's love everyday like they had for the last 9 months.
Today is my Grammy Pugh's birthday. As I called her up to wish her a happy birthday she asked me if I was ready to move. Knowing that she has gone through many of the experiences I have I was honest with her and replied no. It's a bittersweet experience to move somewhere. To meet new people, new friends, and to make them your family. Sure they are not blood, but often they become just as dear as those who are. And when you leave and you know that those experiences will never happen again it leaves a sort of hole.
I still have holes in my life from dear friends I have made throughout my life. Friends that I love as family. Friends that at one part of my life made up my whole world. And when I moved on in a different direction that part of my world was no longer complete. And sometimes, when I look back, when I feel back, I feel like a very incomplete sort of person.
And that's how I know about heaven. Nobody really knows what heaven is going to be like, and everyone has their own thoughts and ideas, but for me, what I hope and pray heaven is, is a place where I am a complete person. It's a place where I can be with all of my "family." All of those who make me complete. Where I can think "hey, I'd like to be with this person right now." and I can be. That's what heaven is to me. I'm fine with still having trials, with having to work, and learn, and struggle, as long as I can be with those I love.
And I pray for this heaven for my children also. That all of those who have made a difference in their lives (which are many) can one day be with them again. That is my heaven.
