Cha-, cha-, cha-, changes

I don't believe I've ever heard someone admit that he/she likes change. Change is hard. Frankly, change often sucks.

Back in ACE, I found myself getting sick when my two years with my five housemates was coming to a close. I'm pretty sure I lost at least 5 pounds and definitely could not enjoy most foods for a three-week period. People told me I had Chron's Disease or that I needed to go to the doctor. My dad was the one who turned out to be right - I was bringing it on myself. (It's kind of scary to realize that my mind has that much power over my bodily functions.)

In retrospect, I was nervous that I was going to lose touch with my friends after being so close for 2 years. (Let's face it - and my friends will tell you - I'm terrible at keeping in touch...except for birthday and Christmas cards.) I had gotten comfortable with the way things were, and I hated the idea of the unknown. But it was going to come no matter what - life doesn't have a pause button. (Sometimes wouldn't it be great if it did?)

As we come to the end of yet another school year, change is inevitable. Faculty members are retiring. Friends are moving away. Members of various teams I'm on or groups I'm a part of are packing their bags. And it's time to say goodbye...which gets harder to do each time I see these people because soon they'll be out of Chicago.

I'm so grateful that Chicago is a city where people come to stay, at least for awhile. But it's hard being the one who's left behind, as certain events or places will often bring back memories of times spent with friends. In the grand scheme of life, though, we're all just passing through. And even though certain friends may go, there are always opportunities to make new friendships and reconnect with old ones. There's always an excuse to pick up the phone (which I need to get better about!) to call and catch up - people are literally just a phone call away.

So yes, there will inevitably be tears over the coming weeks. But I am hopeful for what change will bring for this upcoming year too.

End of Year Smiles

The end of the school year brings a mixed bag of emotions no matter what plans for the next school year may bring. But this year, emotions are running especially high, as I am changing jobs/schools and my sister is getting married - both good things, but they bring with them big changes and the unknown...

I haven't been one for many words lately, so why should today be any different? Instead, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. (Currently I am twiddling my thumbs, waiting to be checked out of my classroom at school...)

mom came to town for Marisa's bridal shower so we went to see a show

some of my wonderful coworkers at our end-of-year luncheon

notes from Marisa's students for the shower

there will be more sunflowers at the wedding...

champagne, games, and candy :)

the socks were a hit

the book of prayers and poems was a hit too

I gave the bouquet making job to another friend - wouldn't have looked half as good if I had attempted it...

she's ready for the wedding...

the whole crew - what a great shower!

both of these ladies are getting married this summer :)

Are you twins or something? ;) ;)

just dancing and doing our thing...

Soul Cycle class with my coworkers #tonightweride

I am so incredibly grateful for the past 7 years at my school, and I am excited for the adventures to come (this summer and beyond). Cheers!

Ready for a change

As I sit here writing my rent check for June, it's hard to believe another month has come and gone. Time really seems to fly at the end of the school year; though, this year I wish it would slow down just a little.

You see, after ten years of teaching I am stepping out of the classroom and into the role of assistant principal...at a different school. (I'm telling the students this Tuesday - pray for us!) I am excited about the new role, but I know there will be things about the classroom and my current school that I will miss. (It's been 7 years at the same school in Chicago - that's a long time!) When I was on the first round of the interview process, one of the interviewers (who was a board member and parent) asked me what I would miss most. Without skipping a beat, I said, "Well, I definitely won't miss the lesson planning or grading." Yes, I was cracking jokes at the interview...and they still asked me back. (When I told my mom, she said, "You're your father's daughter." Yep, guess so.)

In all seriousness, though, change is hard...but it's inevitable, especially if we want to grow and are open to the possibilities. I've thought a lot about this over the weekend - I have the honor to give one of the commencement retreat talks for my classmates this summer (and I wrote the first draft this weekend), and the focus is on how we've been changed (in light of the Gospel about the Road to Emmaus). I like to think of change like Mary Poppins: you come into a place not knowing anyone, you build relationships, especially with the kids, you fall in love with your job and many things about the people and way things work, but, when the winds change, you find it’s time to move on. You hope the changes you made will be carried on, and you trust that the kids will be alright. And you pack your bags - for me, personally, it will be a hell of a lot of boxes of books - and you move on to where your love is needed next. Memories about you and what you did slowly fade over time, but that’s okay because you realize it was never really about you in the first place.

So, these next few weeks I'll be packing up and moving on, who knows for how long or where the road will lead me next. I just have to trust that God will continue to guide my steps, and that God will give me the wisdom and courage to be where I am needed and to continue to learn and grow.

In other news:

May was a full yet fun month (and there are still a few days to go). Here are some pictures from the marathon weekend and ice cream crawl to prove it:

Marathon expo fun

We carbed up for the marathon at our go-to, Olive Garden.

Pentecost Sunday - Come Holy Spirit!

When you get a PR, you get to ring the bell.

We did it!

beautiful tulips in Green Bay

concert at Space with Marisa and Patrick

3rd annual ice cream crawl - stop #1 (Jeni's)

stop #2 (Oberweiss)

stop #3 (Bobtail)

stop #4 (Paciugo)

Summer's almost here - I can taste it. Cheers to that!

Walk With Me

With the end of the school year dawning (ever so slowly) on the horizon, it's impossible not to start thinking ahead - to summer...to next year... And with that thinking comes a slow realization that a lot of things are about to change, some things in small ways and some things in larger ways.

Recently, one of my co-workers explained how her husband received one of those "make him an offer he can't refuse" job opportunities, and that's incredible. But, sadly, it means she and her husband are packing up and moving to Ohio. I was pretty upset when she sat me down to tell me a few weeks ago (though I was trying very hard to remain visibly calm and happy for her), but it sure hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday. And I cried. I mean, I really cried. (Thankfully, I was the only one home.) This woman was my co-teacher for two years when I first moved to Chicago and taught in 4th grade, and we've been friends for nearly four years now. She's such a calming, welcoming presence at school, and it's very difficult to imagine what it will be like day in and day out without her next year.

It's important to take a step back and realize, though, that when you sign on to a school (or any job, really), you have to realize that people's life events will bring them in and out of your own. Some people are with you for a long time, and some remain with you for only a short (or relatively short) while. And each time change happens it usually brings various strong emotions right along with it.

But, as the quote above states, "change is inevitable" - it's always going to happen, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. We can't control others and their decisions, and we just can't control our own lives, as much as we like to think we are able to do so. But what we can do is make sure that with each change we take time to reflect on what certain people have taught us while walking alongside us in our journeys.

My co-worker taught me patience and compassion, especially toward our students. She helped me realize that it's never possible to have enough hugs. Together, we found something good in each day in the classroom, and, when I moved into my current middle school position, she supported and encouraged me 100% because she knew it would be the perfect position for me.

I know I'll see her again - her sons still live in Chicago, so I know she'll come back to spend time with them and that she'll pop in the school too. And we have our common Michigan ties, so maybe we'll run into each other on Mackinac Island again one day. (That's a story for another day.)

To be cliche and to borrow from Wicked: "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Let us be grateful for those whom we walk life's journey with, whether it be for only a few steps or for many miles.