Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes.

I would like to say: I have come a long way from flipping out when someone moves my cheese. Somewhere along the way I decided it was better to let life happen than to prevent it. This could be because I experienced an enlightenment. It could also have something to do with the fact that I still bear the skid marks from the last time I fought life and lost. One tends to live and learn. As I've proven, one can still be a stubborn ass. But I say that makes for a better story.

Working in education lends itself to change, as it's transient by nature. And despite my tentative approach towards the relationships which can only go so far and so deep, I have thoroughly enjoyed knowing these students. The last two weeks of school were a flurry of activity and events -- it meant insanity for me, but I loved it. The Hot Dog & Book Sale? Smashing success. In fact I've decided next year we're calling it the Hot Dog & Book Sale & Dance Party. We're going to print screen tees and burn a music mix entitled strictly "Awesomeness". Because who doesn't love browsing poetry while the student BBQ masters are dancing to Tearin' Up My Heart...I had to tell them not to get too provocative. Like they needed the attention. One had already singed off his arm hair and the other was busy loudly promoting the inclusion of tofu dogs in our diverse menu. (And yes, people actually ate them.)

Graduation weekend we held the Senior Breakfast, and I sat there as each one introduced themselves and their family, then announced their post-graduation plans. And I realized I didn't want them to leave. I started sulking, even. WHY IS EVERYONE LEAVING ME? Sigh. I hate my life.

There were a few to stop by prior to leaving campus for good; one gifted me a miniature garden gnome, a reference to the time I sent him (and six others) off to a conference in Utah and told them to have fun storming the castle, keep a travel blog, and take something with which to document their journey in photos. Like a garden gnome. 

I've named him Orlando.

With the students moving on, I've also had to say goodbye to a few of my worship team members. We all went out for drinks, talked about what's next but mostly we talked about the obscure, silly things. The things only a shot of 151 can elicit. Like HEY ANNIE, DO YOU MISS YOUR EX-BOYFRIEND? Or the even more entertaining impressions of one another. Pretty sure mine included a broomstick. In my defense, somebody has to be task-oriented and responsible. They love me for taking that fall for them.

Every Sunday I can count on sitting in the back, laughing til I cry because someone misspelled "clever" on the overhead and instead it reads "cleaver", so someone leans over and says WELL IT LEAST IT DOESN'T SAY CLEAVAGE and before I know it, we're all crying silent tears of laughter which yes, probably means we're going straight to hell. Or the even more ironic instance of someone in the sanctuary totally dropping a bomb during the sermon and amazingly, I'm the only one to laugh and one of the guys turns to me and, with a straight face, says OH GROW UP.

Please. I tolerate your juvenile antics for upwards of a year and all you have to say is GROW UP?

I have two words for you: Double. Standard.

You make me sick.

(Okay, that's six.)

Lastly, I have been cranking out finishing Leslie's announcements for her impending graduation and in doing so, going through a lot of old family photos. Very suitable for the topic of change, wouldn't you agree?

Thank God we don't look THAT anymore.