Bittersweet Goodbye

I have served in the Nursery all summer during the Sunday School hour to give the regular worker the summer off. This morning was the last day of being able to offer that service to my sister in Christ. I will still work in the nursery on the occasional Sunday during worship; we all take turns at our church!

But it won't be the same.

I'll miss the way Ellie comes in and heads straight for the table, ready for a few fish crackers to start her day...and the way she loves to dance to "Shackles!" I'll miss Trystine's lilting voice and ever-ready giggle; she always seems downright giddy to be there! I'll miss Jack's unending curiosity at every nook and cranny in the nursery rooms. I don't think there is a square inch in that building he doesn't know about! I'll miss Esther's generosity; whether it is bringing blocks to someone who is building a tower, feeding Jonathan fish crackers or bringing me baby dolls to hold..I guess I look like I need to hold someone a lot! I'll miss the way Jonathan adds sound effects to everything he does, along with some healthy laughs! I'll miss Holly's wide-eyed wonder as she walks through the rooms, observing everyone and enjoying how much fun they have! I'll miss that feeling of accomplishment when a child who began the summer wary of me and even a little scared now runs up to me on Sunday morning with a smile and a hello!

I will continue to see these precious little ones every Sunday and even hang out in the nursery with them from time to time.

But it won't be the same.