Last day of School

This was a hard day. As Hannah put it, “I already don’t like the last day of school...but moving makes it worse.” It was a very mixed emotions day. The last day of 4th, 1st, and Pre-K. But also the last day at Bond Mill Elementary. I went in to take pictures of the kids with their friends and teachers.

Joseph has loved school this year, especially his teachers and friends! Joseph decided he wanted to go home with me. So I told him that after I went to Hannah's and Peter’s classes I would come back for him. He gave Mrs. Scepura a great big hug and said good bye. As we walked out hand in hand he was kind of quiet. I asked him if he was sad. He said, "Yeah, kind of." "Do you want to give your teacher one last hug?" He just shook his head yes. I watched as he ran back in and threw his little arms around her legs. Of course I was trying to wipe away the tears as quickly as they came so he wouldn’t be embarrassed.

Peter is such a quiet child who doesn’t share many emotions. He didn’t really want a picture of anyone except his 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Moran, and Matthew, his best friend. Unfortunately Matthew had already left. But we did get a picture of him with Mrs. Hunter, his old Kindergarten teacher. He had a huge crush on her last year and I think it has remained this year. He loves her! She was sad that he was leaving because she wanted him to be in her 2nd grade class next year! I would of loved that and so would have Peter!

Hannah was hard. She wanted a picture of everyone!! I don’t blame her in the least bit. She has had the same little group of friends for 5 years. What a great group of girls, I have been so grateful for them, for making Hannah feel loved and included. I am sure it has only increased the talking problems that she has had throughout her school career but I wouldn’t trade it.
Hannah wanted to ride the bus home one last time. When she got home she was sobbing, and just cried for a long time telling me that she just can’t hold the tears in any more. It broke my heart in two. I remember moving from Washington to Utah as a kid about her age feeling the same way. It’s ironic that we are now moving to Washington with my daughter feeling the same way that I did. My hope is that because of modern technology she will be able to keep in touch with the friends that she has made in Maryland a lot easier than I could when I moved. One thing that I didn’t think about was how upset her friends would be. I knew Hannah would be sad but it didn’t hit me about her friends until I talked to a mom who said that they would be planning her daughter's birthday party around Hannah so she could come one last time. Or when Hannah got a special invitation to a going away BBQ where she would be the guest of honor. Both of these mom’s said that their girls came home from school crying and upset that Hannah was moving. It breaks my heart that they have to feel the sting as well...that it is not just us. The unfortunate thing is that this is just the beginning. So many goodbyes. So many tears. So much heartache when it comes to leaving a place and people you love.