Dear Class of 2036

Dear reader, 

This letter is not one I thought I’d write. 

It’s a rather sad subject, but one that I cherish nonetheless. 

I was a teacher. 

And today (May 19th 2022) all 6 of my kiddos graduate preschool.

An all-female class.  

God blessed me with a day off today, so I plan to pop into the center and spend some quality time with them before the summer craziness sets in. 

If they could read, this is what I would tell them. 

(If you're reading this from the future, I know these words will ring true for you.)

Dear Class of 2036,

The road ahead of you is a long and hard one. 

Trust me when I say you will fall flat on your face and back multiple times, but you must keep getting up and continuing on. 

You will meet so many people, some will be your friends others your enemies. Some will pretend to be your friend and backstab you. 

Sadly we live in a fallen world, remember the story of Adam and Eve that I taught you during one of our story times? That problem of sin has not gone away, and until Jesus comes back it will still be a horrible problem. 

Boys are disgusting. Don’t trouble yourself with them until after high school. They’re dumb and they will hurt your heart the more you allow them to. The younger they are the more stupid they are. 

Don’t flirt to get their attention. Wait until your heart attracts theirs and they will respect you for it. 

You really must all learn to listen and respect your parents. They will do their best to raise you and teach you, even though they will fail you. Give them grace. Don’t hold them to perfection. It’s unrealistic. Love them as much as you can, color and draw them pictures as often as you can muster up the energy to do so, they love it when you do that. 

School is going to suck. 

I know that’s coming from your teacher, but there are many things your teachers will teach you that make absolutely no sense. Things that aren’t true or important. Do your best to listen, ask as many questions as possible, and always settle on what is true, even if you don’t understand it. 

Don’t worry too much about math, you’ll use addition and subtraction a lot. Everything else you’ll walk around with a calculator for the rest of your life. 

You guys were the best class I could have. 

You were wild and rambunctious when I got there on my first day. 

And when I left you were a bit more self-controlled but still extremely wild. 

It was an honor and a pleasure to be your teacher and I would gladly do it all again. 

We focused on many topics and themes, and some of those I would hope that you would remember going into the rest of your life. 

Respect: Know who was placed above you and listen to them. Respect will get you so far in this life. 

Empathy: Listen to everyone and put yourself in their shoes. 

Silliness: Joy will always be present if you bring it to the conversation. 

Creativity: Your mind is full of ideas. Use them. 

Imagination: This is a muscle within you, stretch it often and you won’t lose touch with it. 

Selflessness: The world’s not all about you.

Contentment: You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.

Your voice is a powerful weapon and instrument. Be careful with what you say and how you say it. Sing at the top of your lungs (Hopefully Thank God doesn’t leave your heart anytime soon.) 

Know this girls.

I’ve been praying for all six of you ever since God made me your teacher.

I’ve prayed for your hearts to grow, I’ve prayed for your kindness to blossom like a flower, and I’ve prayed that you all meet God in your own timing. He’s the one treasure I hope all of you find.  

He allowed me to feel great triumph and loss while serving you, and my heart has been overwhelmed with care and love from all of you. 

All of you are so kind, caring, helpful, ridiculous, and one-of-a-kind. 

Each of you has a lot in store, you may not know it yet only being five years old. 

But I assure you, if you learn to walk in step with how God wants to lead you you’ll be just fine no matter what storms may come your way. 

I’ve finally concluded that God’s gently pulled me out of your story.

He’s allowed me to come back and visit today. 

But as far as I know, this might be goodbye. 

Hopefully, I’ll bump into you gals again, in this life or the next. 

The world’s not going to know what to do with you.

It’s going to be amazing to watch.

Sincerely your Teacher, 

-Pickle Mitchell