by Ardyth Stanley
After thirty-two years of teaching, it was all over so fast. We were leaving the cafeteria after saying so-long to staff and teachers. Five of us were retiring, and I found myself surveying my cleaned-out office. Friends dropped by with hugs and well wishes. I felt butterflies in my stomach thinking about leaving never to return. Why are endings so painful while openings are full of hopeful anticipation? I remembered countless school openings. New shoes, shorts, shirts, school supplies, name tags. I would greet the children at the door, fussing over each one with a compliment and a question, “How does it feel to be in first grade?” After ushering each child to his seat and showing him how to put away his supplies, we were all ready to go. It was so exciting. Closings were different. At the end of the year as the children lined up at the door, I would tell each child how proud I was of him and his progress over the year and how I hoped he would have a good year in second grade. Once all the children left for the last time, I would go inside and weep. I couldn’t help it. I loved them all so much. I never had a child I didn’t love – even the “pistols.” I would give them choices, asking what I could do to help them, and they became my buddies. In time, as they got it together, they earned special responsibilities like returning a book to the library or delivering a note to the office. Now suddenly it was my last end-of-theyear. The door was closing on thirty-two wonderful years of teaching. They had all gone so fast. It is said that God never closes one door but that He opens a window. Now retirement was opening before me. My husband Doug and I had long dreamed of building a cabin in the North Carolina mountains. The fresh air, the change of seasons, dramatic winter storms and breathtaking springs. Now the cabin was finished. Doug was already there, waiting for me to complete these final days. On this painful last day, our daughter Mindi met me at school, the U-Haul already hooked up to the car. I spied the school in the rearview mirror and it was all over in a moment. We loaded the final things from the condo and were on our way – to another new and exciting opening.
ARDYTH STANLEY taught at Westside Elementary School in Daytona Beach, FL. She and her late husband Doug have three daughters, Meridyth, Maret, and Mindi.
This article is reprinted from the February 28, 2013 issue of Waves in honor of the 2018 retirees. Best wishes to all of you!