A New Journey for Maggie

Today is the eve of my baby's first day of high school. It seems like yesterday we were excited about "Miss April" coming for a home visit for preschool. How could 11 years pass so quickly?!

We have gone through a gazzilion crayons, dozens of markers, and possibly a total of two trees of paper since then. The sneakers have been replaced by "Sperry" look~alikes ($40 cheaper) and boots. The backpack has been replaced by a big shoulder bag. No more Crayola crayons, only pencils and pens. (I did splurge and purchase her a 'silver' pen with 'Maggie Gillenwater' engraved on it. Nobody else will have one like that!)

I wish for her the joys of high schools days...'new' boy scenery, new girl friends, new activities, new teachers, new experiences, new beginnings, Friday night football and basketball games, and dances. I loved my high school days. I hope she does the same.

My baby is now a young woman with a whole new world ahead of her. How can I be sad when the slate is clean and fresh and waiting for her?

She just posted on Facebook..."Mom, I'll be alright. You're not only my mom, but my best friend. Thanks for always bein there for me. I love you! (:"

My, my...I love that little girl.

I pray for her journey...now let it begin.

(It's milestones like this that cause me to miss Mom and Dad 'extra'. How they would have loved to have been apart of this time. Mom would have bought her several new clothes and Dad would probably have insisted on picking her up from school in his little black truck with Daisy, the dog, right there beside him. I do know that they are smiling down upon her...us!)

Retirement

TaDaaaa....Woo Hoo.....Yipeeeeeee.....Praise the Lord!

Today is my first official day of retirement! (yes, I know I've been out of school since since May 28th, but it's just felt like summer break.) My peers headed back to work today.

By 8:30 this morning, I had sent Maggie off to her babysitting job, went to the Burger Bar for breakfast and then to the Family Dollar Store. Things I don't usually get to do. Then home to do laundry and haul out/trash/file/put in it's proper place all the s*&# in my hallway that has been 'stored' there for way too long. (I did find some missing treasures!)

I have enjoyed peace and quiet-not a radio or television on. It's just been me and Oliver, the cat. Of course, I have missed my best buddy, Maggie.

Yesterday, I was telling Rosy and Maggie that a couple of weeks before each school year, I would always get this excitement about the new beginnings of a school year. I'd enjoy going to the school supply stores to get things for 'my kids' and my classroom 'queendom'. But in the last two years, my excitement had faded~ but not totally disappeared. I suppose that's the 'sign' that it's time to turn in the ole roll/grade book, throw away old lesson plans, and retire my teacher bell*.

Today has been good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, the next day, the next, etc.
Retirement...yep, it's a good thing! But you know, I might just have to ring that bell every once in awhile to hear that familiar sound and be remined of those 31 blessed years in education. I am a very lucky gal.

(*My buddy, Steve Hawkins, gave me that 'teacher bell' as a college graduation gift in 1979. It's been on my desk wherever I was planted. Thanks, SAH!)