The Last Dance

The day I had been looking forward to but not looking forward to is here. Today is the day I dance for the last time with the group I've taught for the last 9 years. How do you separate from something you've been accustomed to for 9 years? These girls and their parents have become my family. Usually when I dance, I listen to the song over and over just to make sure I know all of the words, pauses, as well as go over the choreography in my head. The difference today is I couldn't do all of my normal practices because I couldn't stop crying. I got to the church and sat in my car to get myself and all of my emotions together.


We all met like we usually do and began getting ready. Some had to put on mime makeup while others just had to get dressed. As we are getting dressed someone says, " Janelle, Rob is here." I replied with, "Rob who?" They said, "Your brother, I remember what he looks like." At that moment I was like Rob didn't tell me he was coming and as soon as I made that statement Rob entered the room with his girlfriend in tow. Surprised is an understatement. At that moment, my immediate thought was my Mom would be so happy to know that we still support each other even though she's not physically here to see it.

We were all dressed and just like we always do we circled up to pray. Before we prayed I told them that I loved them and that I expect them to be continue to be great. I also told them to go all the way in when they danced and leave it all out there. The dance we were about to do was 12 and a half minutes that include outfit changes so everyone needed to be on the same page.

After we finished all of the girls hugged me multiple times and we had a photo shoot in front of the church for the final time. As I drove home, I smiled knowing that my job was done. One more chapter closed even though the ending was super emotional!

Click here to see the video and scroll down to see pictures!

Remember to "Be Uniquely You" and "Be Kind to One Another!"

 

 

 

 

 

The First of Many Goodbyes

As I reflect on the last 9 years of my life I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. As stated in an earlier post I have always wanted to be a teacher and these last 9 years have been me living out the #1 dream on my list. The last week of school went by like a whirlwind. There was so much to do in a so little time. We had our 8th grade Social, our 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony and since we are a 6-12 school we had our High School graduation. Each one of them brought so much joy.

The social was such a sweet event. Our students dressed up in their finest and they were looking good. It was so great to see each and every one of them acting mature and looking the part as well.

The same goes for the Moving On Ceremony. Many of them looked like different people than when they entered our hallway on August 29, 2016. They seemed to have a glimmer of hope in their eye for their futures. We had worked all year long to help them believe they could succeed and I truly believe many of them feel like they can conquer the world. During the ceremony, the 8th grade teachers surprised me with some parting gifts. I was not expecting this and if I'm honest a few tears were shed. They gave me a bouquet of roses, a picture frame with my name on it for my new desk, and a globe that said, "teachers rule" and all of this was presented by them and with one student who had improved since the beginning of the year. The beauty of all of this is I was not expecting anything and they were truly able to slip something by me!

 

 


Since we have a high school component we have formal graduation. I remember the first graduation we had. In that graduating glass there were some students who were very dear to my heart. These young ladies were part of the first Dance Team turned Step Team I coached. They still keep in touch with me and I am just honored they think enough of me to do so. The graduating class of 2017 were the last group of students I taught and as they walked across the stage I felt closure. It felt like my time was up and I was being released.

During my 9 years I have had the opportunity to work with some awesome people. Some I've worked with from my very first year when I was wide eyed and bushy tailed and some I have just met this school year as I make my way out of the door. Nevertheless these people are now ingrained in my life, my memory, and this story. I hope they all know the pleasure to work with them has been all mine. A few of them have said that they are going to visit us in Abu Dhabi and I have assured them that if they come they definitely have a place to stay. The pictures below don't even begin to display the amount of love and fun we have at work.

 

 

My entire immediate family and I attended a Going Away Dinner/Party thrown by the Dance Ministry I currently teach and choreograph for. It was cute and overwhelming. All of the "I Love You's", "I'll Miss You's" and numerous hugs made my heart smile. I was their teacher and choreographer for 9 years and they all talked about how much I blessed them but they blessed me as well.

 



In my family, my mother taught us that we support each other at all times. So, in true fashion I went to my Dad's church for Father's Day because he had to preach. His sermon was "Don't leave without Jesus." This sermon reminded me that no matter where I go I need to take Jesus with me because He's seen me through many of the obstacles that I've faced in my life.

In moving news our house is empty and under contract to be bought. The emptiness is a reminder that in just a short while we'll be in a new country, new home, and making new and exciting memories.





"Be Uniquely You" and "Be Kind to one Another"