Loved

Oh my, yesterday I felt very loved indeed!

At the end of my Ballet 1 class, two of the children presented me with this GIANT bouquet of a dozen gorgeous roses and mums, plus a "we'll miss you" card. These little girls are eight years old, and they gave me big hugs and said, "You're a great teacher, we'll miss you!," then bounded off on their merry way. It brought tears to my eyes, it was almost enough to send me running into my boss' office screaming, "TAKE ME BACK, I'M MAKING A TERRIBLE MISTAKE!!!" I love my kiddos, it's going to be so tough to leave them behind.

On the way home I was feeling very contemplative and thoughtful about the decision to leave my job. I was a bit moody about saying goodbye to my little ones. When I got home I opened my mail box to find a package...from England. Now, I only know two people in England, Matt's good friend, renaissance man, Noah Charney and Gemma. I concluded that Gemma was much more likely to send me a package, (since Noah is probably off frolicking in Italy, researching stolen paintings), and indeed what a package it was!!!

She sent me: A package of little, Japanese(?), panda bear biscuits filled with strawberry jam, chocolate covered pretzels for Matt, a pair of HUGE purple, rhinestoney sunglasses, in a hand sewn case(!), two equally huge, fun necklaces. Oh my love for large sunglasses and big plastic beads knows no boundaries! This girl knows me well! I'm modeling the jewelry and glasses, at right, and doing my best to look like a "ghetto superstar" or whatever it is those young whipper snappers are calling the cool folk these days.

Gemma also included a lovely card, and I'll quote from it, because it was exactly the thing that I needed to read at that very moment. "You are totally doing the right thing, there is no good time to follow your dreams and you are so brave to do it!!"

Thanks for believing in me Gem! You are a dear, dear friend!