I'm lingering over a cup of tea and a bowl of dry honey nut cheerios that I'm sharing with my cat. (No, he's not eating out of the bowl) Lingering is the important word, it's my last day for it. Though I spent all day yesterday working in my classroom and will do the same today and for that matter, have worked all summer with my new fourth grade colleague, TOMORROW is the official first day of school for faculty. Start time: 8:00, quitting time: June. The days of lingering over anything will have passed.
Like bookends, summer ended in the same way it began, a week in the company of a wonderful, supportive community of people. I worked as I have for the past 5 years at a dance camp in West Virgina. I keep the books, run the fund raising auction, assist the camp director-a old friend-in any way I can. And dance and sing everyday. Thanks to email I can keep in touch with some of the people through the years, but life gets busy, frantic, crazy and so we count on this week to see and catch up with each other. It's a booster shot of love, affection and goodwill that lasts me a long time. So I second Oman's suggestion of a Westtown get together, somewhere, sometime this year. I'll do my best to be there.
In between the summer was quiet, leisurely with lots of time for lingering. I had a couple of opportunities to share my Westtown experience with colleagues"who knew". I read, (Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert-a must read) knit, slept late. Right before leaving for Westtown I had met a nice man at a contra dance and that relationship progressed happily over the summer. I feel relaxed and thanks to Westtown and you guys, renewed and ready to teach . My well has been refilled.
My love to you all. And my best wishes for a productive, successful, satisfying school year. May all our students be engaged and eager, may all our parents be happy and love us.
Stay in touch,
Love, Ellen
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