Light

I had to stop teaching 4th grade science a couple weeks ago.

And it's sad, and partially my fault. I wanted to teach fewer science classes so I could concentrate more on the remaining classes, so the principal gave that class to one of the new teachers and gave me an English class. But I wasn't expecting to lose that class. I love those kids! They keep coming up to me, asking when I'm going to come back and why I had to leave - and it's breaking my heart. Sometimes I'll wander into their classroom at random times of the day, and other times when I walk by I have to look the other way because I miss them all so much. One thing that never failed to brighten my day was that class after lunch - these 4th graders have a thirst for knowledge that wakes me up, and that I hope stays with them all through the rest of their schooling.
I miss walking into their classroom to find that they've arranged themselves into a pyramid, which is threatening to collapse because of their body-shaking laughter.
I miss when they beg for me to sing the Star-spangled Banner, and tell me to just close my eyes and pretend that I'm in CenturyLink Field. Like that makes singing in front of people any easier.
I miss when they try to convince me that Gina is absent when really she's hiding in a cupboard again - or under a blanket on the filing cabinet... the twinkle in their eyes always gives them away.
It's amazing how much space in my heart this class has taken.

My days are missing a bit of light.