The minute I walked in one little boy ran upto me, shouting my name as he did so, and asked if we could play a game. Of course I said yes and spent my morning singing, running around, hiding in the den, and generally being unable to stop smiling. It was when it got to dinner time that the waterworks started... Shaunie sat me down on the carpet and was acting very peculiar, I guessed what was coming and already started to get emotional; feeling the tears fill up behind my eyes and that was when Kim came back into the room singing goodbye with a little boy holding a present for me. Well I burst into tears and hid behind another little boy so no one could see me cry! (Didn't work.) My presents were lovely; a skeleton necklace and bracelet - both had MOUSTACHES!! - a Mixed Fruit Kopparberg (kept that hidden from the children, of course), some hairspray (in-joke), lots of sweeties, and an amazing booklet of the childrens handprints.
(For child protection purposes I have scribbled out the names on the pictures those that haven't been removed are the names of my former work mates)
Afterwards the children had dinner and I managed to turn the eye-taps off for a while until it became time for the little boy to leave. I gave him another cuddle (probably his millionth of the day) and choked a goodbye. It was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever had to do. At first I thought I was being rather strong... but I was wrong and, instead, cried infront of his mother. Then I cried as I hugged my friends and on the phone on the way home....
I never thought that a job could cause as much heart ache as it did, perhaps I am just a big softy? Either way, all I can do is hope to keep in touch with my former colleagues, wish the very best in life for all the lovely little children, and feel priviledged to have been part of their lives.
