I have completed my time at College Hill Prep School where I have been for EIGHTEEN YEARS! It's a lifetime and the future is just a little daunting right now! I played around at GlassGiant.com and made the tag above as for eighteen years that has been my identity.
I live in a small town and because so many children know me and have passed through my hands, wherever I go in town I am greeted by smiling faces and waving hands or little bodies tugging their mommy's skirts and pointing...."It's Mrs Ternahan"
I know it sounds self gratifying, and it is, but what an awesome priviledge I've had to be loved by SO many. At my farewell I was given a scrapbook made for me by all my colleagues and church friends.In it were messages and photographs.I can't tell you what it means to me....to be loved and treasured soo much! It makes the leaving sooo difficult! BUT...I look back at all the memories I CAN take with me and look forward to the future.
I've been thinking a lot about how my being a teacher has become part of who I am.I almost feel as if I'm going through an identity crises LOL.I have for the past 18 years lived as a wife, mother AND teacher and these roles are very much WHO I am, BUT I am so much more and leaving my comfort zone of familiar grounds has made me look more closely at who ME is.
I've discovered I'm brave...those who know me know thats a profound statement to make LOL..I've never thought of myself as such. I've discovered that "TEACHER" is not all I am to little ones whom I teach...I am more. I've discovered that my colleagues are more than that...they are friends and loved ones. I've discovered that I CANNOT make this move without the strength I'm getting from Our Lord! It is He who makes me look to the future with HOPE and filled with LOVE.....
LOVE from those and FOR those I'll be leaving behind. Life IS a journey and I've sat on the path a long time and now I am moving on...I've discovered I' ve grown enough to take those new steps...big steps...toward a new future...but..I'll always look back and smile as I remember...
I'll treasure those little faces, those loving smiles, those eagerly waving hands...yes I will, my dear, dear little ones..I love you...all...everyone!
