Roller coasters have been a frequent topic of conversation
in our house lately. Last week, Matt
joined Carson on her 6th grade end-of-the- year trip to
Carowinds. Two days later, Zane was also
able to visit the same amusement park.
(For those of you who haven’t heard of it, Carowinds is an amusement
park in Charlotte, NC—not too far from us.)
The biggest attraction at Carowinds right now is their new roller
coaster called The Fury. It is an
incredible ride—billed as the world’s tallest and fastest coaster. (If you are really interested, you can search
for videos online to see for yourself.)
Personally, I love roller coasters! I LOVED going to Six Flags as a teenager and
riding anything and everything. As an
adult, we’ve just never really gone to an amusement park. I’ve never really
thought about why, but now I think I know.
Matt hates them. He went with
Carson on this trip, and the most daring thing they rode was 2 kiddie roller
coasters. He also enjoyed riding the
carousel. Apparently, roller coasters are just not his thing, and although Carson looks
just like me, she gets this same trait from him. Zane, on the other hand, is my coaster lovin’
child. He got to Carowinds and the very
first thing he did was ride the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—The Fury. That’s my boy!!
Well, I didn’t get to go to Carowinds this past week, but I
had a roller coaster experience of my own.
It was called “The Last Day of School”.
I’m really not sure that I can adequately express all that I felt, but I’m
going to try. It is the end of the
school year. I am exhausted. It is so nice to spend this weekend NOT doing
lesson plans. These past couple of days
have been spent working in an empty classroom.
I love the quiet, yet I miss the conversations and the laughter that
comes when the students change classes.
Yesterday morning we had our awards program. Afterwards, my 7th graders came to
me to get their report cards and then….that’s it. They are off for the summer. Did I tell them everything I should have? Not about science or math, but about God,
about life.
Then there were others that
I know will not be back next year. Did I
give them anything that will last a lifetime?
Then there are the seniors.
Graduation was last night. You
would have thought my very own children were graduating. I was prepared with many tissues. I can’t help it. I love these students! As annoying and trying as some of them can be
sometimes, I love them!
So, I’ve been on
this “HAPPY, sad, ENERGETIC, tired” roller coaster over the past few days. When all is said and done, I wouldn’t trade
it for anything. God has graciously
given me the desires of my heart, and I am working my dream job. Really.
I’m so thankful for the lessons learned, and that I can rely on God for
the strength and wisdom needed for this ministry of teaching. I’ll enjoy my couple of months of down time,
but I’m already thinking about next year and the next thrilling roller coaster
ride.
