Adjourning is Such Sweet Sorrow

           Saying good-bye can be so very sad. This week I am to reflect on my experiences of when a group that I have belonged to has disbanded. I will admit that I have belonged to some groups that I was relieved when they ended. The most emotional group and I think a great example of a successful and fruitful group was the group of peers that I went through my student teaching class with. The professor was awesome! She new her stuff and was excited and passionate about sharing what she new. The college had a preschool on campus for students and staff. Our classroom was just across the hall from the preschool. It’s been over 7 years since we all went our separate ways but I still think of them often. We shared information, experiences, fears, tears and laughter together. There were about a dozen of us that earned money through out the class and we traveled together to a CAEYC conference in Anaheim and a trip to Disneyland all in the same week. We traveled together in a small bus from the college, told stories and sang the entire 11-hour drive. What a magnificent time we had! The day before we were to drive back home I received a call that my daughter had gone into labor 3 months early and that the baby was going to be delivered. I was recently divorced and living without electricity in order to survive and be able to have gas money to get to classes. Every single one of those women put their money together bought me an airline ticket, drove me to the airport, gave me what they had left for food money and a big group hug. Never have I experienced such humanity. To this day I tear up when I think of what wonderful people they are. Had I not moved away I am certain that I would still be in touch with some of them.

            I have no doubt that the reason the class/group was so successful is because we were all very much of the same mind. Yes, we were a very diverse class but we had the best interest of children in common and it proved to be a great group of people that learned together, supported each other, and we cared what happened to one and other. I anticipate that to some degree I will experience a similar experience when I graduate from Walden. Even though this is a different type of communication and not in person, I have many peers that have been in almost all of my classes over the last year. That is a long time to interact and not feel a loss when it is over. I expect that it will be bitter sweet. I am excited to be nearing the end of this long journey and to finally have earned my masters. I believe that to be successful that we must keep moving forward. In moving forward our classes together will end and I will genuinely wish each of my peers good will. It is an honor working with such dedicated people for such a wonderful reason. I will let my positive memories give me strength when I may have a tough day.

Jenn Pore`