Lasts

A week full of lasts. Last few times to watch morning assembly. Last times to sit and chat with the chai ladies. Last times for each meal. Each Wednesday, the kids wear their sports uniform, which is white pants with a shirt of all different colors. I always feel so happy when I am surrounded by all these colors. For a long time now, I knew that I wanted a picture with the whole student body in their sports uniforms. So, I grabbed Diana and we asked Celina to make it possible.

My last time of going to medical was actually more emotional than I thought it would be. With new volunteers being here, I got the chance to just walk around talking to the people. I got to observe all the magic that was happening and I found myself welling up in tears a few times as I saw the pain and the accomplishments. The first woman I ever met in a colony was Mariraj, at Bethel Nagar. And the last person I talked to as we were saying goodbye happened to be Mariraj. I came full circle. I just can't believe the generosity and openness of these leprosy-afflicted patients. They are truly inspiring. I have to give thanks to the medical team as well. They have all taught me so much and been so patient with me as I experienced all the new. They have grown to be true friends and I know that I will keep them in my prayers and will miss them dearly. 

This week was my last week of teaching these beautiful kids. These past four months have been amazing. Each class is either rewarding or makes you want to pull your hair out. But these kids never stop touching your heart. I'll never forget Sugundaralakshmi's face as we be 'as big as we can be' and then 'as small as we can be'. I decided I wanted to leave them in a fun way, and to thank them for being so great and cooperative as we got ready for the performance coming up, I threw them all a class party. Complete with treats and a movie. We ran their dances, took a picture and then surrounded the computer.

Coming here, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy teaching kids, or if I was going to be good at it, at all. I've found out that I LOVE teaching kids. I LOVE playing with them and being a complete goofball. I love being so big that I make them laugh and I love tickling them into a hug. It has been so much fun to google creative classroom ideas and learn new games to teach them. Meeting Kenady put the idea into my head that I would actually really LOVE to be an elementary school teacher. I love teaching the kids how to count by clapping and turning our laps into drums. I love singing 'If You're Happy and You Know It' and acting like a 'choo-choo train' while disturbing the rest of the school as they come and look how cute these kids are. Singing the ABCs and nursery rhymes is actually fun! 

And now there isn't much time for slowing down, the program is on Saturday! They are all going to do amazing!