56 months = 4.8 years

Next week there will be a, not so gentle, reminder of my Ward's death. The 13th of every month, the breathe leaves my body, just like on that horrible day. Yet I get dressed and keep moving, and continue to see hope, joy all around me.
This year the class of students that we have had the pleasure of learning from, have restored my hope in the future. Note, that all years are NOT like this one!! No amount of adjectives can explain what they have brought to my life. The desire to learn is such a powerful tool. Each day, they explode with prior knowledge, and hang , like sheets on the clothesline, to each and every story that we tell. We read John Steinbeck's The Pearl, this year, to the advance class of English learners.
The flow of his written words, grabbed them, and held on for weeks. THE PEARL, I just did not see it coming, loving books is so rare. Not knowing the English Language and loving to read, a miracle!!!
These kids are not just smart, they have huge hearts. Brilliant minds, generous hearts, middle school ELL students, my working life complete.
So I think now would be a good time to retire, "go out" knowing that our world will have the best of the best. Diversity is a beautiful thing, we are the world!! ( Had to throw in my hippie days!!)
Each week my kids, write in a journal, here is an excerpt. This young man from Taiwan had lost his 98 year old grandmother......"We will miss my grandma. We are happy because, she finished her responsibilities." That is the most precious thing I have ever seen written about a death.
I'm not dead, but I have come to the end of my responsibilities at school, and my cup runs OVER!!!
This 13th of the month, I will pause, reflect and know, that Ward was finished here on earth, and find peace.