Falling in Love... All Over Again

I teach preschool. It wasn't what I had anticipated for my life but it is just the way things have worked out. I can't really imagine doing anything else. These kids become my kids, and I truly somehow, fall in love with each and every one.
I have a tough age group by preschool standards. The dreaded "Terrible Twos." There are days when I really do go home wanting to pull my hair out, but for the most part, my days are filled with little miracles. I have always felt that during the 2-3 year, kids change and develop so rapidly. I am able to witness these babies turning into "real people." I really count myself fortunate. It really is something to watch.
Every year I fall in love. Sometimes especially with a special one or few, and sometimes with the entire lot, but I always end the year feeling like there will never be kids I could love as much as those little ones who will now be leaving me. Every year it happens. I feel so torn as my little friends grow up and leave me for greener pastures, but so very proud of all that they have done in the past year.
This year has been a challenging one. I went from a relatively small group of "older twos" last year, to a large group of late birthdays. It was really an adjustment. But the triumphs were there, and the miracles were there, and so was the love.
I started back to teach summer school today. The majority of my class from this past year will be with me as well as some new friends. One child who I have had all year long, came back after just one week away a completely different person. Suddenly she grew up. It was truly a blessing to have been able to see that. They are only little for such a very short time, I am so grateful to be a small part of their lives. Truly.
I have such a heavy heart when I think of these kids who I have bonded with for a year, being under someone else's watchful eye in the fall. In many ways, they feel like MY kids, and I don't want to let them go. But I know that I am just a brief stop in their long journey, and I am so excited for them to continue on.
So, in a couple months, a new school year will usher in a whole new class. And inevitably I will start the year homesick for those who have moved on. But so it goes. And in the end, I'm sure I will do as I always do, and fall in love all over again.