How to Let Go of What You Love

Dear reader,

I recently was heartbroken. Which funny enough doesn't happen too often, but the few times in my life that this has occurred God has shown me so much in the pain.

If you know me you have heard me mention the recent life-changing events of a job switcheroo.

A daycare teacher to a factory worker.

My boss at the daycare encouraged me to continue coming back to visit the kids and the staff whenever I wanted to, to keep the relationships active and show that I still cared about all of them.

Now, I am an extremely relational person. If I care about you I will make sure you are seen, heard, and loved in every way possible by me. Those kids at that old family video building were no different.

When I took this new job I had it in my mind and heart that I would go back and visit as often as possible. Yet I was hesitant.

Why?

I finally found the answer.

Last Friday the factory was closed down for a fumigation that was scheduled. I took the opportunity to head over to the daycare right at 7:30 in the morning, and I didn't end up leaving until 3:45.

IT WAS SO HARD TO LEAVE.

I would rather go to the dentist than experience what I did that day.

I played so much, I got to hug so many of the kids, and I got to be called 'teacher' yet again.

It hurt so much.

I was flooded with memories, good and horrible of my time there. It was bittersweet. All day long I would hear...

"So are you going to be our teacher again?"

"Are you back now to stay?"

"Wait. Don't go."

My time at this place was done. I didn't want to admit it, but it was. I wanted to ignore the truth, but it was hitting me in the face over and over until I submitted.

“Let them go, it's time to move on to what I have in store for you.”

Hands down the job was and probably forever will be my favorite career I've ever experienced. But the page was turned, the first sentence of the new chapter was read and I can't go back to how things were.

As I was with my old classroom full of kids that day I was mourning. I was praying for them. I didn't want to leave them behind. I wanted desperately to be their teacher again. Yet I knew deep down that I needed to leave.

I read them the book 'Oh the Places You'll Go'. In the end, there is a line that names off some random rhyming names and says, "...You're off to great places, today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way."

I put all their names in the book. I was holding back tears as I miserably attempted to rhyme their names.

I closed the book and said goodbye. And somehow someway I am going to let go of the best season of my life so far.

After all, my mountain is waiting, I need to get on my way.

Sincerely The Clingiest Person in the World,

-Mitchell