School's out for summer!

I'm convinced that the best part of teaching is the last two days of school. No, not because summer looms. These days are to be cherished because:
I get notes of thanks
I hear, "I'm really going to miss this class"
They finally tell me how much I've meant to them
I get (a few) hugs as they leave my classroom
I get to reflect on the year

I heard some precious remarks these last few days; I'm thankful for the joys of my vocation. I showed Nana my class pictures and gave her faces to the names in my stories. I miss them already.