The beautiful people we walk with......

I have been working at my job for 20 years.....about to wrap up that milestone this week.....and so far it has been a beautiful ride....we kind of discount how our "work people" become our people.......it just sorta happens.....we spend so much time at work, and if we are lucky those people are the ones that we find ourselves spending time with....we had a retirement party last night for my last principal.....and I loved her so much....she was tiny but mighty.....a powerhouse, and so full of life.......she created such a family atmosphere in our building.....one that united us all, and we had so much fun together.....she would have social gatherings outside of work......and we had ones in school.....like national meatball day or ice cream day.....and the list goes on.....but some of the people that worked with me for many years, later went on to teach middle school, where she was, and so I got to see them all last night.....for the first time in a long time......and it was so lovely seeing all of them.....all of the people I have walked with so closely in this life.....working with them in different capacities, and sharing different places of our lives.....for instance there was a woman I had team taught for years with there....and so I walked with her in her time of life when she was raising her boys, and running them to piano and cub scouts.....and I knew all of those intimate details of their lives then.....and now it has been years since we have been that close, and her boys are men.....and last night you could feel the love and connection between us as we hugged, and caught up and wished each other well.....because that is the other thing....it is hard to stay connected when people move on....but you can always cherish what was when it was.....our old secretary was there, and she and I were so close too....walking together after work years ago and sharing life....and having so much fun....it was great to see her too, and it was just one experience after another like that.....and it got me thinking about all the people we walk with.....never really knowing how long that walk will be, or how long they will be in our story, but their impact will always be felt.....and gosh to think of all of the people that I have forged close relationships with in my life is enormous to think of.....hundreds.....and some have come and gone, some have remained......and I guess driving home last night it made me feel really blessed.....blessed to have had so many vibrant and wonderful people touch down in my story, and leave their imprint......and it also makes me so excited for the all the future people to come that I will meet and walk with even if it is for a little while:)