In a reflective moment of post-graduation melancholy, I have
been listening to “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked” in various
forms. The original cast version (Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith) is
incredible, and the crush I developed on Anna Kendrick after “Pitch Perfect” is
only escalated her performance with Kristin Chenowith here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEdnIvnCko8
It’s an ode to growing and outgrowing each other, and it’s
perfect for us as teachers, who, if we are very lucky, are told that “we change
lives.” But if we are very, very lucky, we are changed ourselves.
I've
heard it said,
That
people come into our lives
For a
reason
Bringing
something we must learn.
And we
are lead to those
Who help
us most to grow if we let them.
And we
help them in return.
Well, I
don't know if I believe that's true
But I
know I'm who I am today
Because I
knew you.
…
It well
may be
That we
will never meet again
In this
lifetime.
So, let
me say before we part:
So much
of me
Is made
of what I learned from you.
You'll be
with me
Like a
handprint on my heart.
And now
whatever way our stories end
I know
you'll have rewritten mine
By being
my friend.
…
Who can
say if I've been changed for the better
But
because I knew you.
I have
been changed for good.
It’s melodramatic to say that every student
changes our lives, but they exist for me in groups. TrevorMaddieMaxAileen exist
for me as one beautiful, intelligent, intertwined conglomerate. CeciliaAmyPaige
were truly the beating heart of the dance program this year. I could go on and on, but I will keep it simple: I thank them for a terrific year, and I certainly have been changed by their energy, enthusiasm, and exuberance.
