never has the end been so bittersweet.

I love my kids. So much.

Laura Beth worked for weeks with the kids on goodbye songs for the 1st through 5th grade teachers. My "surprise" was yesterday. I was doing all right during the song about "forever friends" until I looked over and saw Irma in tears. Then they started streaming down my cheeks, and within seconds, I saw Lesly and Ana and half the class crying.

Saying goodbye to the school will be so easy. I'll laugh in utter happiness at the thought of never seeing Mr. Calderon's face again.

But those children have burrowed their way so deep into my heart that I can hardly maintain composure just at the thought of not seeing their ornery faces every week. I can't believe we've spent an entire school year together, and all that's left is one week to say goodbye.

Coming home has never been so appealing. But leaving has never been so hard.