Prints...

Did you ever think about the ones you leave? What do they look like? How long do they last? Were they deep, heavy with clear marks? Were they light, slightly unclear on the edges? Did they leave the impression you intended? Did you feel like going back and raking them out of the sand? Were they big enough for everyone to see? Or were they small like those of the sandman spreading his dust in the eyes of babies?

Looking back on 14 years...

There have been so many prints, too many to count. I don't want some of the paths to end, some of the walks aren't finished yet, but hopefully lessons have been taught so others can hold a hand. Some can go on with their own confidence. Some paths taken have been forgotten until stirred by someone else's nudging. Some though I will never forget. The ones (parents, students and staff) who never gave up, who always came up with more energy to work at it, to make a difference. The high school senior who invited me to her graduation...7 years after we finished working together.

Some prints, probably better forgotten. We have them, the ones we wish we could take back. Learn from them, learn how to not make the same print again. Tis hard though...change isn't easy. But we are still better for making the print in the first place. We tried, didn't succeed so we we tweaked and tried again.

Did I give enough smiles, enough words of encouragement, enough compassion, enough gratitude, enough caring, enough hugs, enough laughter, enough teaching, enough energy? My well-wishers tonight told me I have. My student today who hugged me so tight and said, "You aren't just my teacher, you are my friend." Justin, I will miss and ask his teacher about often. If there is room on your prayer list, please add him.

And let us not forget all the prints left on me...WOW! I'm no where near the same person I was when I began 14 years ago. I think I've aged rather nicely, though. Heck, I've gotten married, bought 2 houses and had 4 kids...all while developing the speech of hundreds of children. Many tears and cheers for every print!