Transition

"Who are you?" said the Caterpillar...
"I - I hardly know, Sir, just at present," Alice replied rather shyly, "at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then." 
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Friday morning, the SLA coaches transitioned us from students to interns.  Friday afternoon, I transitioned from work to vacation.  Today, when I drop off the kids with my mom, I will transition again.  And, tomorrow, for the first time in nineteen years, I will transition from walking into the school not as a teacher but as an administrator. 

Transitions.  Thank goodness one of the thirty-one books given to us was on this very subject.  Transitions begin with an ending which can be difficult because, as humans, we don't want to let go of what we know and what is comfortable.  The uncertainty of what is to come can be unsettling.  

I remember fondly of our move from Clayton to Carthage in 2011.  It was a rather abrupt move; it happened so fast, I didn't have time to really make a total transition.  I never let go of my "life" at Riverwood Middle School.  I never got to say good-bye to my co-workers and my students who I had grown so close to.  Even though I was beginning my new life in Moore County, I was merely "existing" until I went back to Johnston County in late October and had the chance to say good-bye and let go.  At that moment, I actually felt the weight of what I had carried for those three months being released.  And, once I returned to New Century Middle School, I was not existing.  Rather, I was LIVING!

This transition is a little different than my last one.  And, even though this new change begins with an ending, my time as a teacher has not "ended" per say.  My co-workers (past and present) have reminded me to never forget from where I came.  How can I? Those were some of the best times of my life!  

Gone, but not forgotten...