School has started and from the window of my house I can see the red brake lights of cars lining up to drop off their precious cargo. The teachers have, more than likely, been there for weeks setting up their classrooms and have been in school this morning for an hour or more, after getting very little sleep the night before. This is the first year I’m not there too.

I wondered how I would feel today.

As the new business begins to get a little busy and the nonprofit begins to take shape, I can say that I made the right decision. I’ll miss the kids  today. Some of them knew they would have me as a teacher this year and I think they will be disappointed. Some of the students that return to tell me how their summer was, or show me that they grew into young men or women, will wonder where I am.  I’ll miss some of my colleagues too. I’m going to need to create a new work community as I also try to stay in touch with people I have known for years.

Deep in my heart I know that I’m doing the right thing. I have something else to do in this life and in the infancy of this nonprofit I am creating I can see it taking shape. It’s the meshing of all I’ve done before coming to together. I continue to meet other woman that have started nonprofits in the oddest ways. I pick up just the right article or book. I mention what I’m doing to a person who knows someone who can help me. It’s just all falling into place. It feels right.

So there is a bit of melancholy, but more so an overwhelming feeling of having made the right turn in search of my mission. What a relief!