Thinking of this school year ending and saying goodbye to students is both a celebration and a grief. Even as teachers are tired, and ready for rest, they still wish "just another week, another conversation, another book shared, another hug". I hoped good things for students at the year's end, for the summer near and the future far. And this year I am not saying goodbye, but still remembering the goodbyes. I thought those of you in the classroom would enjoy one of the poems I used and gave the students on the last day. It fits them, you, me--treasured words.
As you journey
through life,
choose your destinations well,
but do not hurry there.
You will arrive soon enough.
Wander the back roads and forgotten
paths,
keeping your destination
like the fixed point of a compass.
Seek out new voices, strange sights,
and ideas foreign to your own.
Such things are
riches for the soul.
And if, upon arrival,
you find that your destination
is not exactly as you had dreamed,
do not be disappointed.
Think of all you would have missed
but for the journey there.
and know that the true worth
of your travels lies not in where
you come to be at journey’s end,
but in who you come to be
along the way.
anonymous
21 comments:
Linda, I needed to read this today. Thank you for this gift.
Beautiful gift. I need this too. I think a lot of us do!
I'm with you, remembering the end of school years- so hard for me to say good-bye even in the last years... I'm remembering with you...
Bonnie K.
Oh my goodness, did I need this!! I must print this out! Thank you, Linda! Thank you!
I love this poem, Linda! I am going to give it to my son who is graduating this June. It says exactly what I want him to hear. Thank you!
Jennifer
Yikes- seems you are speaking directly to lots of us today! This poem is perfect! I am caught between the "one more" and ready to start my summer. This class has been a special one for me!
Linda, you always seem to find just the right words in poetry.
What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it.
That last stanza...we have another month and a few weeks to go, but I feel tears welling, already.
What a perfect poem for anyone making a change. My favorite lines are "...but do not hurry there.You will arrive soon enough." Too often we don't allow ourselves to linger in the moment but rush on to the next.
This is a gold nugget. Thanks, Linda.
I love this poem - so meaningful at all stages of life. I immediately printed knowing I will share it in the future. Thank you for this gift!
Clare
I'm so glad everyone is enjoying the poem. Thanks for letting me know, for coming by!
Remembering the good-byes is sometimes just as hard as saying them. Beautiful, Linda.
The end of the school year does bring about many emotions. It is sad to see students leave. It is exciting to know that we had some small part in shaping who they will become. Love the poem. It definitely is for everyone.
A lovely poem! I am always overcome by the bittersweet feeling of endings. It's a big deal to realize that these little class communities will cease to exist, and while others will come and be wonderful too, these as they are will never be again. And yet it's so exciting to watch the students go off to change the world! Who knows what they will do, and what I will do too?
Thanks you so much for this poem.
I'm embarking into retirement at the end of this year. After some high mountain camping far from the madding crowd, I have no plans. I long to
"Wander the back roads and forgotten
paths,
but have no destination in mind.
Appreciate the perspective, Linda, at this point on the calendar. I will try to remember: Do. Not. Hurry.
I love this! So many wise words for both us and our students - thank you for sharing!
Love these lines:
"Seek out new voices, strange sights,
and ideas foreign to your own.
Such things are
riches for the soul."
Such a lovely gift to share! Thank you, Linda.
What a wonderful poem!
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