Monday will begin the last week that I can call myself a teacher.

Monday will start the last week that I am responsible for the music education of 70 3 year olds, 70 4 year olds, and 66 5 year olds. Give or take a few.

Monday will begin the last week that I will have to be out of my house by 8:00, in order to reach school on time.

Monday will begin the last week that I will stand in the front door of our school to greet the children as they enter.

Monday will begin the last week that I make my ’rounds’ to all the rooms to speak to everyone before starting my day.

Monday will begin the last week that I search the CD collection for fun songs to get us all moving and laughing, and singing…and jumping, and hopping, and skipping.

Monday will begin the last week that I have a little one risk the wrath of their teacher to break out of line just to give me a hug.

Monday will begin the last week that I will walk the children over to the church sanctuary for program practice.

Monday will begin the last week that I drill into the children the reason we do not wave from the stage…proper stage presence, you know.

Monday will begin the last week that I will dole out ‘special treats’ to those who obeyed and tried their best to ‘do the right thing’.

Monday will begin the last week that I attempt to straighten up my room before I leave, so that everyone will not think I am a slob…I will fail, as usual.

Monday will begin the last week that I will stand with a group of children, in the carpool line waiting for their parents to pick them up.

Monday will begin the last week that I walk out the front door, yelling behind me “See you tomorrow, Bonnie.”

Monday will begin a very hard week. And, come Friday…a wonderful chapter of my life will end. And, on that…..

Monday that begins the last week in August, when teachers are bustling about, preparing for another year, waiting for classes to start up again…they will start without me.

But, every ending is a chance for a new beginning…a chance to do new things…a chance to do old things there has not been time for…a chance to write a new chapter in this blessed life of mine.

And, so I will…in a little while…after the tears have dried.

Alex showed me how to use my camera to make Black and White pics….but, he did not tell me how to put it back on color. I made this cute pic of the kids in a K5 class…so just imagine the sub is yellow!

I had the following conversation with a little one today.

CHILD: Mrs.Owens, you got ‘old’ hair.

ME: Did you say ‘old hair’ or ‘gold hair’?

CHILD: (laughing) You don’t have ‘gold hair’…that’s silly!

ME: Well, what exactly is ‘old hair’?

CHILD: It’s like the color of silver.

ME: You’re right, my hair is turning silver. Some people think that means that
you’re getting old…but it really means you’re getting smarter!

CHILD: Are you real smart, Mrs. Owens?

ME: What do you think?

CHILD: I think you are really smart, cause you sing good songs. And I think you
like to play games. And, I think you can see good ’cause you wear glasses.
And, I like it when you ‘mess up’…’cause you don’t care, you just laugh.

ME: Well, I guess that makes me pretty smart, then. But, what about my hair?
Do you think it is OK?

CHILD: Yes, Mam. I think it is beautiful. It is shiny like diamonds. I think it
IS ‘old hair’, though. But, that’s OK, ’cause YOU are old, too!
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And, so I am. But, if I have a song in my heart, and don’t take my self too seriously, if I can still play games and have diamonds in my hair…then I am one blessed lady…and I’m ‘smart’ enough to know it!

Several years ago, a group of Moms from our school got together to honor us teachers with a luncheon. It was held at Maria’s Vineyard, a local home with much charm and beautiful gardens. Many weddings are held there, too. So, when the word went out that they were going to do another luncheon this year, I thought, “Oh, how nice of them.” We all left school about the same time and travelled to the house. As soon as I walked in, I saw some friends who used to teach with us, and I thought, “Well, that was nice of Bonnie to invite these girls, too.” But, only when she began to welcome everyone and said, “this luncheon is in honor of Tonja”, did I finally realize I was the one being honored! I was floored…to say the least. Bonnie had some wonderful words to say. A former teacher who has moved away wrote a poem, which they printed out and framed for me. I was given gifts galore, and beautiful, sweet cards from everyone. The food was delicious, and the fellowship sweet! I was so humbled to think that they went to so much trouble for me.

This wonderful school that has allowed me to teach with them for 20 years, is the best. I heard so many words of affirmation and praise as to what I had accomplished with the students…but, in reality, the thankfulness is all mine. With the often chaotic and mostly upturned life I lead, FPPS has been a place of refuge for me. I have had a place where I could go, and leave the troubles behind, and just focus on the children. It has been a place where, when those troubles tried to follow me there, someone was always waiting with a hug, a word of encouragement, or a quick prayer between classes. Such support from Bonnie, our director, has always made my job such a joy. Even though I’ve heard it said that working with a group of women can be tedious at times…this has never been the case with our ‘family’ of teachers here at FP. Everyone is willing to step in and help shoulder the load for as long as is necessary. These ladies have blessed me, prayed for me, cried for me, cooked for me, even sang for me. And I love them all. My words can not do my feelings justice.

So, Bonnie, Paula, Daronda, Andi, Debbie G, Stephanie, Tina, April, TJ, Lynn, Mary Alice, Eve, Dawn, Jennifer, Donnell, Brenda, Jana, Jeanna, Debbie C, Allison, Kim, Sherrie, Rhonda, Angel,…and Ann, Anne, Diane, Kathy, Julie, Belinda, Sue, Katherine Y, Courtney, Regina, Katherine C, and Nita, who lives with Jesus…you have a place in my life, my memories, and my heart…forever.

To the Mom’s who hosted the luncheon…a heartfelt thank-you for your servant hearts and your kindness toward us teachers. Thank-you for trusting us with your most prized possessions…your children.
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Yes, I had my camera with me…However, a camera without a little card thingy is no good. DUH!!! But, there were pics taken and I will share them with you as soon as I get them.

I know most of you friends thought you had her…so, I’m sorry to have to break this to you, BUT…I have the best Mom in the world! It’s true! I do! I love you, Mom! You’re the best and I pray every day that you will feel better. We have many more trips to take…and much more shopping to do….and much more fun to have! I am blessed to have you in my life!

After, I visited with Mom, Ian and I had a nice lunch together. He came home from Birmingham. He surprised me on Friday night. Thanks, Ian, for fixing the ‘broken leg’…and thanks for being a young man I am prouder of every day!

Then, Adam and Suzanne, came by. They were dropping off their dog for Alex to dog sit until tomorrow. They have an important meeting to attend in Birmingham. I am so proud of these 2. Adam, thanks for giving me a daughter to love, and thanks, Suzanne, for loving my dear boy so much. God bless you two.

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OK…back to Saturday. Tina and I headed out early to meet Shirl in Albany,Ga. for the day. It was about an hour drive for her and about an hour and a half for us. It is always such fun when we are together, and Sat. was no exception. We went on a mission to find some patriotic decor for Tina to use at church. She is in charge of the flower and decor committee at our church. She decorates seasonally all over the church. We met at Hobby Lobby, then to TJ Maxx, on to Jo Ann’s, then Ross, back to Hobby Lobby. Oh the damage we can do in a short time.

I did not go off yesterday with the notion of buying anything. But these 2 INSISTED that I needed this set of dishes. And, not just the dishes, but all the accessories to go with them…platters, bowls, glasses, decor, etc. All in a beachy theme. Can you see it all laid out here on the floor? Shameful!

I protested, I begged, I said, “No, No, No…I do not need all this!” But, were they sympathetic, did they understand, did they hear my pleas? No, they just looked at me like this!

And, so I caved. What would you have done if they were blocking your way and looking at you like that? So, it all resides with me here in the Creek House now. And, it will be lovely when we have pool parties this summer. So, maybe, I’m not TOO mad at them!

It is so funny, but, when we 3 find something we really like…it always seems that there are 3 of them available…1 for each of us! And, since we all like the same things…that makes it very nice. I spotted this lamp at one of our stops…and put it in the buggy. I showed it to Tina…and she had to have one. I took the other one to Shirl…and she had to have it too. Isn’t this just the cutest little lamp? ****** Why, no, I don’t know exactly where I will put it. But, I’m sure I will find the perfect place!