Thanks to Teachers

Tonight, I was in the kitchen cooking for my Garden Club Christmas auction tomorrow, Russ was still at work and Carter at basketball practice. I looked over at one of the many Christmas decorations that adorn every inch of my house and I burst into tears. No heirloom had burned up, or expensive ornament had broken. No, I just really looked at a small felt hanging of a Christmas tree made of Carter’s hand prints. It was just yesterday that her hand held mine every morning on our way into Westminster school for young children where she made that gift with the loving help of her teacher Betsy Voorhees.
I got to thinking about all the wonderful teachers Carter has had through the years and the small gifts that each of them have given Carter. The love of science thanks to many fabulous women role models. The passion for photography thanks to one kind man. A keen interest in history and the role women play in the world thanks to many great history lovers. A curiosity, a voice, an opinion, a point of view, fearlessness, all fostered by wonderful teachers.
I feel so lucky to have gotten to know these teachers through the years. Sometimes Carter would come home complaining about something a teacher was doing. I would tell her that usually it was for good reason, that someday she would understand. Often that someday was just the next day.
This chapter is closing. When Carter goes to college I will not know, or even ever meet the Professors that will take her to the next level of learning. What I do know is she has had the best opportunity to build a strong foundation for life long learning thanks to the special people who chose teaching as their profession.  
I wish I had a little felt banner from each teacher so I could always look back lovingly on the impression you made on my child’s life. Know that I appreciate all you have done.