Highs and Lows

Today was a busy day filled with some really fun times and a really somber one.

It was the student's official last day and we spent it at the Sports Emporium in Mechanicsburg. Before that, I spent some time chatting with Lori Jo and learning of a fun new website (that showed me how few presidents I knew- tisk, tisk!), while I was really supposed to be in homeroom taking attendance! Whoops! I'll get this professionalism thing down sooner or later! Once I got up there, I learned of another great website that only comes from working with teenagers. Free music!

By 8:45 the buses were being loaded and I was on my way in the car, since I would be leaving early. I got there and hung out with Shizz and her hubby as we waited for the buses to arrive. The kids love Shizz and vice versa. It was so powerful to see 2 buses unload and just about every child that got off that bus ran up to Shizz and hugged her. These kids need so much more than academics from us. I want my students to know they are loved like that! Personal goal for next year!

I digress! For the first hour, I stood around and chatted with various teachers and students. We decided it would be fun to play mini-golf, so we did! Lori Jo, Anna, Maryann, Desiree, Jeff (for a few holes) and I began the Castle Course. I had a few good rounds, but no hole-in-ones. The only one of us that got one was Lori Jo! The course was absolutely beautiful. The landscaping was gorgeous and the props were awesome and not tacky. It totally gets my stamp of approval! :-)

After playing only 18 of our 36 paid-for-holes, we had to leave for the funeral. Here's where the day turns bittersweet. Thankfully I had two wonderful ladies with me.

Rosamia's baby's funeral was held in a quaint little church in Hershey. When we got there, it was just around 12:40. I was texted by Rosamia to be there by 1, so I thought we were good on time. It turns out that 1:00 was when the families were there for the viewing. It was an open casket, which is what began the tears. Following that up with a hug from Rosamia pushed me over the edge. I wasn't sure who was consoling who in our embrace. After that we went to sit in the sanctuary to let the family grieve together. We had no problem filling up an hour with chit chat about a wide array of topics. I love listening to both of the ladies I was with. They are both so well- lived people with admirable attitudes about life and such giving spirits. I have learned so much from both of them.

At 2:00 the funeral started. It was done in both English and Spanish. The service didn't strike me in any way UNTIL I hear Rosy sobbing after a friend read a poem she wrote. I almost felt the need to grab my chest to try and push my heart back together! That was the roughest part. As she exited, she continued to sob and nearly collapsed in her boyfriend's arms. Talk about heart-wrenching. We went downstairs to say hi to some former students and I wanted to see DeeDee. We left soon after. I felt bad not saying goodbye to Rosy, but she was obviously preoccupied.

I leave you now to watch Celtic Women: Greatest Journey. Having a father that was adopted and never cared to find out where he came from allows you to dream of your ancestry. I like to believe that I am descendant of an Irish Queen. :-)

Final thought:
"In life, there are more questions than there are answers."