Baggage and Osama

Today was field day at my school and, of course, I can't help to think that it will be my last one in America (for a while), let alone my school.  Today was also the day I decided to tell my students that I was leaving.  I decided to make a powerpoint (I know, I know, very teacher like of me) to explain where I was going. The children freaked out!  They were so excited and enthusiastic.  They asked questions and told me their thoughts and opinions on the matter.  However, it was one question that struck me the most and it came from the most unlikely of sources...T.  Now, everyone knows T and he has truly been my "special" throughout the year.  I have learned so much from him and he will always stay in my memory along with my other "specials".  Today, as I talked, T did his usual yelling out and overtalking everyone during MY presentation.  One of his "yell outs" asked the question, "So does your mom want you to go, Ms. Dula"  T was the only one who asked me that question and for a few moments, I was reminded why I have come to love this little, yet outrageous boy.  The question was so innocent and I felt that he was truly concerned about my mom's feelings.  He was thinking about my family.  For a strange reason, it actually made me sad and connected to him at the same time.  Now, of course, he then rants that I am going where "Osama's cousins live", but everything with T is short lived.  With all that being said, even in my excitement I have to remember that I am leaving some very important people behind.  That even though their presence is no longer in the physical, they are with me in spirit everywhere I go.  I have learned in the last few weeks, that there are a lot of people going with me on this journey.  I have never felt so loved by so many..I will need their thoughts, encouragement, love, and prayers from the day I step on the plane, to the first day of class, and, finally, to the day I come home.....my only conclusion is that I definitely am going to need a larger suitcase!