15 years from now (a letter to my princes and roses)

Because I'm missing you everyday, I am reposting my letter to you. I hope someday you will stumble upon it and remember how fun it was to be 7.

15 years from now, I hope that contrary to what you think, I will still be alive.

15 years from now, I would love to find out that one of you became a teacher. Don't forget to get in touch with me so you can tell me about your Student Stories--let's compare notes.

15 years from now, you would have forgotten all about our adventures, and you would have gone farther than I could take you. But I hope you will always remember to pack away before you leave, to stay with your buddy, and to explore, explore, explore.

15 years from now, you would have a different idea of fun, but I hope you still make an effort to make all your Fridays a Fun, Fun, Friday.

15 years from now, you will no longer be big kids, you will be adults. But I hope you will still be polite, you still listen all the time and you still think of others. 

15 years from now, our Door Monitor will no longer be a door monitor, but I hope you will still open and close the door for the girls.

15 years from now, you will no longer be looking up and waiting for me, but I hope you will all find someone whom you will wait for with the same loving anticipation.

15 years from now, I hope you still know where the Art Room is. 

15 years from now, you may have forgotten the Little Prince already. Pick up a copy and read it again. I hope you hear my laughter when you read it. 

15 years from now, people will fall in love with your perfect smiles. I fell in love with your toothless grins.

15 years from now, you cover your mouth when you sneeze, you don't talk when your mouth is full, you don't announce to everyone that you farted and you say excuse me when you burp. I HOPE.

15 years from now, you spell your words properly and all your full stops are in place. PLEASE.

15 years from now, I hope you still remember to say "Please" and "Thank You."

15 years from now, I hope some of you end up together. Invite me to your wedding.

15 years from now, the yellow belts you earned in Taekwondo may have long been promoted to black ones--but the yellow ones will always be my favourite, because your yellow belt parade was the most beautiful I've ever seen.

15 years from now is still a pretty long time. But 15 years from now, I would love to see you again and tell you how happy you made me today. Lunch was fun because you sat around me and shared your food and stories. You made my heart smile when you were all busy making our invitations--you all worked so hard and so well on those invites! I could have stayed in that moment when you were all colouring our banner--giving each other turns and cheering each other on. You were taking care of each other and loving each other without knowing it, without making it known. I hope you still do that, 15 years from now.