Christmas Tree
People often ask me, “Do you miss teaching?”
“Not at all,” is my usual answer. “Thirty-nine years was plenty.” Unlike many of my retired colleagues, I’ve never put my name in the ‘sub pool’ nor have I ever thought about becoming a classroom volunteer. “Been there, done that,” has been my attitude. Plus, I’ve had other things to do…
But I do miss the kids – their spontaneity, their delight in simple every-day things, their excitement at finally ‘getting’ something they’ve worked hard at learning. I miss their jokes: “Mrs. Stevens, where did Napoleon keep his armies?” “I don’t know, where?” “In his sleevies.” I miss their artwork. And I miss seeing their amazing progress from the beginning of the school year to its end.
Of course, one of the benefits of living in a small community is that you get to watch kids grow up and see how they turn out. I’ve looked on with interest and pride as those ‘little kids’ have become mechanics and teachers and cops and social workers. (And I’ve worried about those who’ve had trouble finding their way.) In some cases, I’ve come to know these former students as parents, themselves, and catch glimpses of their long-ago selves in their children.
Even the students I taught forty or fifty (!) years ago in California sometimes get in touch with me through the magic of Facebook. I love that! I look at their pictures and try to recognize the children I remember. And often that’s tough.
On the other hand, they frequently tell me, “You look just the same.” I know that’s not really true – I didn’t always have gray hair and this girthy middle section to my figure. I tease them and say, “You mean I looked old to you even way back then.” That’s closer to the truth of it. I remember meeting some of my own teachers long after I was grown. They, too, looked “just the same.”
At this time of year when the Christmas cards start coming in, it’s especially great to hear from those ‘kids’ of long ago. This is the perfect season for staying in touch with the childhood and magic of once upon a time.
I beg to differ with you, Sydney. Other than shorter hair, you do look just the same. Actually, the shorter hair makes you look younger. Hmmm. Maybe I’d better cut mine!