Well, it’s been a big week. After a busy and at times hectic school year it is seemingly suddenly… finished. It’s a bit strange really to go from a daily work life filled with the bustling energy of literally thousands of young Thai faces to suddenly… an empty campus and classrooms.
It is never easy to say good-bye. In fact, I somewhat deliberately avoided using those words as they have a certain finality to them. But a few of them snuck in… and along with them the inevitable shock of teary eyes and holding back tears. Ugh… a bit tough at times.
Honestly, it was a challenging journey for me this year. While there were many things I enjoyed about Thailand, teaching and the students, there were things that were personally difficult. In the end, much of that feels washed away and I am left with the satisfaction of completion and the sweet faces that were part of my daily life for nearly a year.
Last Day of Class
Students took their final tests on the last two days of school. The second day of testing and the final day of school, I received an unexpected and beautiful surprise nearing the end of the day. Engrossed in the final work at hand, I didn’t notice the door to our office open but suddenly heard a quiet “Teacher Teresa.” I looked up to see a small sea of the sweet faces of many of the boys in my class with one of my more dedicated student helpers offering me a bouquet of roses. I was then greeted with an array of good-bye hugs. The flowers were beautiful and shockingly fragrant and it was one of the loveliest acknowledgements I have ever received.
Beautiful Bouquet of Roses
And so, here I am in post-school completion but still with a few weeks left and some final work to complete. In many ways I feel free and liberated with the end of the school year and a lightness in my body and being as I revel in more free time and prepare to shift to what is next. Appreciating my nerdy preferences to tend to all the final details as I once again transform my slightly expanded life back into two suit-cases.
I have worked busily and at times neurotically to neatly tuck my job and life into pre-departure orderly fashion. While there is still work to do, there is also a light at the end of the tunnel. A little more time to just relax, just be. In the wake of a busy year filled with so much personal growth, huge energy and transformation… I am also taking a little time to appreciate the year that has passed and simply smell the roses.
Gypsy Woman 