Sista Friend, Teacher Friend....

Oh my word you couldn't have PAID me to go to the malls this weekend. And that is exactly what they were trying to do. To pay you 8.25% to battle the masses looking for backpacks, jean skirts and Hannah Montana T-shirts. I did, however, need to make a Target run, which is probably worse, and saw shopping carts filled with binders, #2 pencils and Elmer's glue along with the obligatory 2 boxes of Kleenex. When my mom and I were talking about the back to school rush this weekend and the fact that her cul-de-sac would soon be void between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm she got a little bit sad. She was hit with the realization that this is the first year in TWENTY-THREE (23) years that she has not had a child going "back to school." No crayons, map pencils, 3-ring binders, locker mirrors, gym shorts, year books, mattresses, rec letters, U-Hauls....the madness that is back to school is...just done.

That is a pretty crazy realization. She informed me that for "all her life" (and honestly, it is all of her life as long as she can remember it) she has been sending kids back to school. So this morning I am thinking of all of you mothers who are sending your kiddos back to school either for the first time or the 10th time. I hope you have peace that you are sending them to a place of learning and fun. I hope you have joy that you get 8 hours all to yourself!! I hope you have comfort that their teachers are loving on them and they are having fun with their friends. I hope you have a great day...

And to all of my teacher friends....bless your hearts! I hope I have told you all how much I appreciate what you do each day for children. Man, you have a tough job. Thank you for teaching kids. Thank you for loving kids, disciplining kids, listening to kids. Thank you for laughing with them and being an example. Unfortunately we can't even fathom the number of children who are lacking something at home and I am so honored to know at least 8 AMAZING women and men who give of themselves day in and day out so that a child might feel important, smart, funny, that they can do whatever it is they want to do, and even feel loved.

Thank you for doing what you do. I would be so blessed to have a child in any of your classrooms. And I want to tell you that I am praying for you as you start a new year. I pray that your hearts would be full of love for your new students. I pray that when the going gets tough that you would have a renewed strength and passion for the fantastic charge you have been given. I pray that you will know how appreciated and needed you are when you feel completely under appreciated. I pray you would not have to strike 3 more names off of your "potential children's names list" because you have a new little friend that likes to push the limits.

Thank you for being on the front lines day in and day out with our kiddos. I can't think of a better battalion.

XOXO,

T-Rog