Musings from a middle school reading specialist. I encourage my students to read, talk, write, and have fun!
I parent two amazing young-adult daughters with my husband of 30+ years.

August 12, 2014

Transitions

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Two Writing Teachers
Yesterday I put one foot in front of the other and walked toward room 107.  It's my new classroom at the elementary school I've worked at for 11 years.  Our custodians warned me that there would be dust (new floors) and lots of desks (nowhere else to put them).I stopped and chatted with a couple of colleagues.  Then I finally went in.

Blank slate classroom
I started moving desks into groups, and I wiped out my desk.  I started emptying boxes and wiping down counters.  My oldest daughter, Lindsey, arrived with lunch.  She helped me angle the desks and move some tables.  She made a carpet area and picked the bulletin board colors.

Then she noticed the room number on my door.

"Next week, I'll be in room 107 as well."

As I start a new adventure this fall, my oldest daughter will be starting a new chapter in her life.  We move her to college next week.  Her dorm room number matches my classroom number in a interesting coincidence.  

We are doing our best to stay calm, but the shopping and organizing and gathering and planning put us at odds at times.  To deal with the stress, my husband happily travels for work each week and my youngest daughter slips on headphones and retreats to her room.

I can't predict how the next week will go as I prepare for 18 (as of today) smiling six-year-olds to enter my new room.  I know there will be groans, laughter and lots of chocolate.  I think the roller coaster of emotions will be similar for my daughter as she prepares to leave home for the first time.

Transitions are part of life.  We all need to find ways to make them successful.  Luckily I have an excellent support system, including my family, friends, coworkers, online PLN and writing community.

Wish us luck!


8 comments:

  1. Wishing you lots of luck! And sending lots of hugs too! I have two that have headed out to college in the last three years and I miss them like crazy! Definitely a happy sad time! And how wild that you both have the same room number!

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  2. Transitions are a part of life. May yours as well as your daughters be full of good times and happy memories. Chocolate does make everything easier.

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  3. What a good and comforting feeling it is that you and Lindsey are both have the same room number, even if it is miles apart. Good thoughts and prayers being sent you way. Good luck to both you and Lindsey. I hope that in the midst of your shopping, you stocked up on the chocolate!

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  4. Nothing ever stays the same, so we might as well embrace the transitions life gives us. I love that you both have the same number. I call that serendipity. Hope you have a great year!

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  5. I got goose bumps when I read the matching room numbers. Good luck with both of your transitions to rooms 107!

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  6. Every time you walk into your classroom and see 107, you'll be thinking of Lindsey. Thinking about all the new things she is experiencing as you are also experiencing the newness in first grade. Amazing how you are both transitioning together. You both will be awesome -- knowing there will be good days, awesome days, and hard days too, but you both know how to reach deep inside and stay strong. Here's the a great year ahead in first grade and first year of college!

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  7. I do wish you both lots of luck. The best things in our lives often come as a result of a transition, and the unexpectedness of those good things, hiding in between the anxiety over the changes, is often wonderful! I wish you happy surprises, too!

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  8. Big transitions for you. A new room and a new chapter for your daughter. I always kept in mind these words as it came time for my kids to leave the nest - They have to soil the nest in order to be able to leave. So I would remind myself that the stress and strains we all felt were part of the growing apart process.
    So fun that you both have the same room number. I still remember the number of my freshman room (345), and that was 40+ years ago.

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