I didn’t expect to feel this way. With the school year drawing to a close and a full year’s Leave of Absence ahead of me,  I thought I’d be jumping for joy, trying not to let the door hit me as I scurry out on the last day of school.
Instead, I find myself wanting to slow time down, just a bit, these last 2 weeks. My soft heart is insisting on one last, compassionate push before I go. I need reassurance that my kids will be OK over the summer. With 7 of my 10 students in fluctuating foster home placements and 2 others in a very volatile home, summer may be a difficult time for them. It’s not necessarily the golden months of sun and freedom many of us remember.
Will they be cared for? fed? Will they have some structure?guidelines? security? During the school year we provide so much more than an education. In our inner city school we feed, clothe, discipline and love them everyday.

These are the questions that plague me as I pack up my boxes.
For one of my students at least, the answer has arrived encouragingly. After living in 12 different group homes in 9 short years of life, Jacob has been placed in a foster home on an acreage outside of the city. He told me he hopes this one will be his “forever home”. To let him know how much he’s wanted the new foster parents are throwing him a ‘welcome home’ party next week, to which we’re all invited. What a kind, loving thing to do! I’m overjoyed to know that Jacob’s life is about to improve.
Now for the rest of them…

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