School's Out for Summer

Remember those iconic lyrics that Alice Cooper blasted into our ears? This song always makes me smile for a number of reasons. My brother Jeff, who is also a teacher, always sings that song to Tim and Tif at the end of the school year to rub it in that he is done working for the summer, and they are not. Also, it reminds me that I am also blessed with such an awesome career as well.

Yet, this year I met the end of the school year, not with immediate relief, but with a little hesitation and nostalgia.

I am sure those of you non-teachers reading may not understand what could be sad about not having to report to work for over two months. But think of this, for most of the week, I spend more waking hours with my co-workers and students than my own kids! (Totally scary thought. .. ) Inevitably, missing that consistent interaction with all of those people is a little unnerving.

It also reminds me that I am so fortunate to so completely love my job. I can not relate to people who talk about their job as "just a job-- a place to make money." I truly don't feel like that. I love my job! I love going to work, and I love teaching the students. I am blessed with an amazing group of talented co-workers who I relish teaching with. And, when it isn't too overwhelming, I actually like grading at times, too.

So, with all of these things I love coming to a close, I got a bit weepy. I spent my last day at school avoiding saying, "Bye" to people. I tried to give half-hearted "See you soon's" in an effort to mask my despair. I managed to leave the building only having shed minimal tears, but I felt a little "off" the rest of the day.

But yesterday, I recovered. I slept in. (In my house, that means I slept until 6:30! When promptly at 6:30, three boys crowded into bed with me. ) I watched Evan celebrate when he realized that he had all summer with mom. I took a bike ride alone with Evan to the library. I watched Andrew and Brendan come home after a short last half day of school. They were psyched about being able to play outside now. And I realized, this is the good stuff. This is also something I love.

I am so very lucky. School's Out for Summer!