You just had your last day of school. I didn’t mean to do it, but I cried.

I watched you stand up in front of the parents and perform and I was proud, but I didn’t cry.

I watched you read about what you want to be when you grow up, but I didn’t cry.

I gave you a hug when you were done and told you how proud I am, and I still didn’t cry.

Then I went to thank your teacher. And I lost it.

I thanked her for teaching you so much. I thanked her for her patience. I thanked her for being an extension of our home. I thanked her for seeing the light that shines so brightly in you.

And I cried.

Education is such a gift. I remember the first time I heard you read…actually read. I swear I felt the earth move right below me.

Reading changes everything.

Once you can read, the entire world rolls up to you like a red carpet. You can learn and travel and discover anything you want to.

Not everyone is blessed with the gift of education. We’ve talked about Malala and the fight that she is fighting so that girls can be educated.

These are the thoughts that went through my head as I walked up to your teacher one last time and said…

“Thank you.”

Two words.

They aren’t big enough to show my gratitude.

They aren’t big enough for all that she does.

They just aren’t big enough for the person who spends her day giving my child a better future.

So, yes. I cried on the last day of school and I probably always will. As long as there is a teacher standing in the corner fanning the flames that make my daughter’s dreams shine a little brighter….I will cry.

Image by Elizabeth Albert

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