1 post tagged “reunion”

I never want to forget the feeling I just felt today so I think I will paint it in words.

I worked at a summer camp and at an after school program from January to August of this year and it was a great experience. I loved the kids and the staff. I last saw them on August 1st, the final day of our summer program.

I decided to go back and visit today because our amazing director, Mary, is leaving to work with the Peace Corps in Africa soon and today was here last day at Sunflower. I told one staff member, Nick, that I was coming back today.

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I drove from my apartment straight to the school, about a thirty minute drive. I got off the highway around 3:10. It felt strange to take that familiar right into the neighborhood where the school is. Our summer program was at a different school so I hadn't been back to our building for a long time. As I pulled into the parking lot, I started to feel kind of nervous. What if I didn't feel like I belonged when I walked in? What if the kids didn't remember me? What if the staff was too busy to talk to me? What if it felt like a mistake and I felt silly for going back? I said a little prayer, got out of my car, and headed for the building. A few teachers chastized me for not using the crosswalk. I entered the building and took a right to the cafeteria, where our program is held. On the way I passed Meilene, a girl in our program who I liked very much. She turned her head but didn't say anything, like she recognized me but couldn't remember why.

I walked into the ever familiar cafeteria and saw that instead of having the students split into groups by age level, all of the 80 students in the program were seated at long tables, chattering away. Several staff members were opening boxes of Papa John's pizza to set out pizza for snack- they were excited to have a special treat in honor of Mary leaving. Alexis noticed me first and shouted, "Miss Melissa!" as she ran to give me a hug. Suddenly, heads began turning and kids began shouting my name excitedly. Kids jumped out of their seats and ran to wrap their arms around me. We had a group hug of at least 20 kids going. I felt little hands grabbing at me and saw little faces with missing teeth smiling up at me. A huge smile spread across my face. One of my favorite coworkers, Alyssa, ran over. Kids that I didn't recognize began to join the hug circle too. Soon we were laughing and I felt myself rocking back and forth until we toppled to the ground. Everyone was completely distracted from what Mary was saying, and I hear her say, "Ok, get in a hug and then come back and sit down!" And slowly, the kids began to dissipate. I looked around at all the smiling faces. My heart swelled. I had forgotten how great it felt to be a part of this group. They still remembered. I still belonged.