A Year In Review...

May 06, 2007 20:28

Don't feel obliged to read this, I have a lot of thoughts floating around in my head and need to get them down.

This has been quite possibly the most challenging, frustrating, emotional and educational year of my life. Let's review, shall we....

May 2006: Who knew that this week last year would be so far from where I am now. Last year I was getting ready to turn 22 and graduate college. One day after that, I learned that my momma had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The summer was spent driving back and forth to the U of M hospital for chemo therapy and radiation while still trying to apply for teaching jobs both in Nashville and at home.

Fast forward to August: I am highered over the phone and asked to move my entire life to Nashville, TN in a matter of 12 hours. I know no one in this place and I am terrified that I have made a mistake but excited about what could happen. One week later, my first class of students entered my very first classroom. Three weeks later I am called into my principal's office to be told that enrollment numbers aren't quite what they thought and I have to move to another school with a higher enrollment.

September-November: Mom's esophagus removal goes well--cancer is completely gone, then things get worse when her body responds badly. I am terrified that I will lose my mother. But she is amazingly strong and pulls through it all and is getting closer to being herself again every single day!

I have spent the past 10 months teaching 5th grade Language Arts and Science in an incredibly diverse and eye-opening school, where my heart breaks a little bit every day and I think that's ok. I live the independent exciting life I want in a city I love. I meet new and interesting people and make some amazing friends.

Then comes April 22, 2007: My mom calls to tell me that my dad has packed all of his belongings and is leaving her and my family to move to Florida. I am 10 hours away and feel so angry and alone and heartbroken. I realize the life I had growing up is over and the marriage I had based my dream relationship on as a child has ended.

Now I am one week away from being 23 years old. I am not the same person I was when this story began. I've learned more in this year, and grown up more than I thought I could. Sometimes life is just funny that way, I suppose. It knocks you on your ass and shakes you and takes everything you know and feel at home in and turns it upside down. The one thing I keep telling myself is that with all that I've lived through this year, 23 has to be more calm, more positive and easier to bear.
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