This post was written last Tuesday, before the last post, but the sentiments still apply of course. There was a video too, but unfortunately I did not get permission to post it here. However, once it is officially posted at the church website I will be allowed to post that link. Technically, the video is viewable now online via the site it’s hosted on, but since the link isn’t public yet it’s still being treated as private. So, to the post:
Well, this last weekend was it. Maybe it was the way we went back to permanent small groups so I had the same kids each week, or maybe it was putting together the video, the first time I have ever made a video like this for 4th/5th grade, but I don’t recall feeling this way about any other group of 5th-graders leaving. Maybe it was both. It’s not as if I haven’t gotten close to the students before, I have. There is even a select group who I shared a cabin with for two summers a couple years back. Maybe my memory is just faulty. I don’t know. So two weeks from now we’ll be introducing an entire new group of kids into 4th grade as we move this last year’s 4th grade up to 5th. Due to the way things are done in the kid’s ministry with 4th and 5th grades going to service with their parents the last weekend of every month, the 3rd-graders actually have one more week before they come to us as 4th-graders. This weekend was also the swan song for this year’s drama for the K-3rd grade kids. This would ordinarily have been my week, but I had switched with someone who couldn’t do his week last weekend. Ironically, I received a call on Friday night that the one playing the guest role for the weekend couldn’t make Saturday night, so could I fill in for him? I did, which rather made things strange. I was performing with my cast, but not in my normal role. I did wear a false mustache and Fedora (can you guess the role type it was from the headwear? 😛 ) so I would at least look less like me in my other role playing a different role. Hmm, could that last sentence of mine be more confusing? At least you now share something with undoubtedly some of the kids who watched. 😀 . If you haven’t yet figured out the guest role this weekend, I’ll have to pull out my whip and… do something with it. So anyway, as it turned out the original actor couldn’t make Sunday either, but the director filled in that day so I could at least spend an entire service with the very last 5th grade group at the 11:15 service. Yes, I do miss them.
I know many teachers who have commented on certain groups of students they have had… even years after being in their class. I think it is human nature…. even if they don’t mean to become too attached.
I’m anxious to see that video, but it’ll have to wait until I get more time when we get home and are done camping… eventually the rain will stop and I’ll be able to get off the internet at the campground!!!