The last day of school

I've never been very good at transitions.  I like change, but I find the time period right before a change (when you know it's coming but you can't make it happen any faster) to be agonizing.  I'm a "rip the Band-aid off" kind of gal.  If we're going to make a change, let's make it already.  But saying good-bye is a part of the transition process that I find meaningful and satisfying.  I find great joy in articulating my gratitude and sentiments to someone who has been important in a phase of my life.

So this morning we spent a little extra time getting ready for school by writing thank you notes to the teachers and administrators who have been so important to our family over the past six months.  Grace and James wrote to their five core teachers, I wrote to the Director and his assistant, and Maggie wrote to Teacher Maricela.  Greg packaged up some little gifts from Minnesota. 

We headed over to the school weighted down with our notes and gifts, two huge boxes of homemade brownies and bars to be shared with the kids' classmates, Maggie's princess costume (they were having a royal party for the last day), and a fair amount of anxiety about saying good-bye.

Three hours later, when Greg and I went back to collect our children and all of their books and supplies, we were treated to a display that would warm the heart of any parent.  Not only were our children taking the time to thank their friends and teachers for the welcome they've received here - but they were being thanked in turn.  Grace & James received gifts from a classmate; Maggie's teacher cried upon reading her note.  And several people wanted to know when we'll be back...

The reality is, we don't know when we will be back.  We have attempted to say "hasta luego" instead of the more final "adios", but we have no definite plans for a return in the near future. What we do know is that we have all made friends that we hope will continue to be part of our lives, whether we come back to Costa Rica or not.

As for the transition, I'm hoping our vacation to the Pacific Coast will be enough of a change to get me through the next 10 days!

Maggie giving her note to Teacher Maricela.

James and Manuel

Gracie saying goodbye to Marilu.