It Wasn't Supposed to End This Way

I spent about 6 hours in my classroom last week.  Walking in to Room 503 felt a little Twilight Zone - esque...  It was like time stopped in there.  The calendar, schedule, assignments were frozen on March 13.  That was the last day that there would be students in that room, lessons would be taught, laughter would be heard, hugs would be given, eyes would roll at a bad joke, reading conversations would take place, safety and security would be known for the 2019-2020 school year.

It hurt my heart to be there.  

It wasn't supposed to end this way. 

There were memories to make.  There were lessons to be learned.  There were hugs to give and receive.  There were birthdays to celebrate.  There were field trips to take.  There were celebrations to be held.  There was a grad party for an intern to be had.  There was a final hallway walk.

I have wrestled through SO many emotions since March 13.  Sadness.  Anger.  Questioning.  Depression.  Heartache.

Kids' belongings are bagged up.  The classroom is packed up for summer.  Distance teaching/learning continues for 2 more weeks.

There are so many end of year things that can't happen through distance learning.  

It wasn't supposed to end this way.