here i am in first grade. i remember a lot about first grade. i loved school. i loved being in school all day. i had mrs. colvin–if you’re reading this, mrs. colvin, you were a great teacher! a lot has happened since i was six. i sometimes wonder what it would be like to sit down with my six year old self and show myself photos of my life to come–here are your kids…this is your husband…this is you in your thirties! then i would have to hug that little girl and say ‘life is going to be really hard sometimes, but it will be even more beautiful. and it just keeps getting better and better!” sometimes i trip out on my kids and i think ‘this is their childhood’ they’ll remember these things forever. dumb things, like dishes we put on the table every night or the tree out in front of our house. sometimes it just seems so big! such a huge responsibility, ya know? i wish i could protect them from every pain life will bring, but i know pain makes us so much better and stronger. and i know life will bring them joy, especially if we model joy and contentment to them…i am such an imperfect parent, but hopefully the laughter, silliness, and snuggles are what will stick in their memories!
So true! I feel like life is flying by and I look around and think, “Wow, How did I get here? I can’t believe I’m 32, married for 6 years, teaching for 11 years.” I wonder what my 64 year old self would tell my self now. Hopefully to love and live God’s Word. Love God with all your heart,soul, and mind. Love and serve others deliberately, in His name. Know this life is a vapor and eternal life is our true home.
I remember feeling similar my first year of teaching. I thought, “For the rest of their lives these kids will say they had Miss Flaming in 6th grade.” That’s huge. I am their sixth grade teacher. Wow! What a responsibility, but what an honor.