Bittersweet

Sitting behind a student last Friday, waiting for graduation to begin, I commented that next year it would be him down there.  His belief – it will be bittersweet. 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is the perfect word for a senior teacher as well.  As I watched my students walk toward their diplomas and new lives, I found myself both excited for them but a bit sad that memories will be all I have for the years to come.

As a teacher, I have always had to opportunity to see my previous students for a least another year as they move throughout high school.  This is the first time I will not have that luxury.  Now the end of the year is the end of high school for them. 

But I am thankful for the memories and the year of their lives shared.  As they move forward into a new arena, I hope that each finds the life dreamed and is willing to work diligently towards making it a reality, realizing both the positive and negative are a necessity toward adulthood – a bit bittersweet.