Attachment and Loss

Don't tell anyone, but this cheerful but aloof teacher had a serious moment of grief yesterday. It happens every year--don't tell me you haven't experienced it, too. These kids I've known since they were 11 and who are now 14, going off to high school, saying goodbye. . . it makes my eyes leak! A lot! Sometimes I even have to hide from them for a few minutes on the last day of school; I don't think it will help ease their transition for them to see me this way. Now I've admitted it. I'm seriously attached to them. That's all there is to it. Letting go an extra month early this year doesn't help.