Under the influence

As I look back on the last few weeks they were super intense but wildly clarifying and rewarding....yesterday was profound as I ended my time in 4th.....the seniors came back to visit us from the high school......and talk about having a full circle moment.....seeing the impact, and seeing them grown and well on their way to the lives of their choosing.....and I could still see their little 4th grade face inside of their grown face.....and it was magic......and spending time strolling in our past together was special......and I had a student who was moving after this year.....and she worked SO hard.......she had such a profound year.....and she was sobbing as she said goodbye to it all....and it got me going too....it was hard.....she has made a deep imprint in my heart.....and I tried to encourage her....but walking her out to pick up broke my heart.......and then we faced clapping out our fifth graders.....and that was beautiful and powerful......and then I had a moment......one that stays in you forever.....a student of mine in 4th was one of the toughest I had ever had.......she had a lot of emotional challenges and behavioral ones......and myself and another teacher worked to help alchemize it, and so did SHE.....she stepped up for herself, and at the end of 4th and into her 5th grade year she was a shining example of that transformation, like breathtakingly so.......so I walked over to her and said can I say something before you leave us.....and she said sure......and I said I want you to know I have done this a long time....and never have I seen a transformation as profound as yours......you should be SO proud of yourself.....and I won't ever forget.....and please come back and visit us.....and I cried through the saying of it.....couldn't help it, and as I type it this morning there are still tears....it was THAT profound.....and as I spoke to her the grin that spread across her beautiful face will stay with me all of my life.....goosebumps as I just typed that:) And then I walked out with a retiree.....a woman who doesn't want to retire but needs to....and her grief was palpable, and we shared a special conversation....emotion......and I held space for her, and wrapped my arms around her.....and I drove home with deep gratitude and love for the life that I GET TO live......my journey one of being asked to walk in other's lives, and touch them if I am able......and I guess seeing the bodycount some, and thinking of that influence touched my heart deeply......the ripples we cause......sometimes without remembering that amid the heaviness of education.....but THAT is the point.....and seeing it placed in front of my eyes yesterday was a gift......I am beyond humbled that I not only have one job that ignites passion and purpose but TWO......coaching, and clients, and young ladies allowing me to walk with them some.....and well......all of that light, and purpose.....and passion I get to experience certainly suffocates any of the darkness I have faced:) And I am just glad that I was called to walk in this way, and I will honor that walk all of my life......Happy Saturday:) xoxo