A Gnome for the Win.

My boys are precious. Ok, so technically they're not mine, but I've considered them to be "mine" while I'm at work.

Today, as we were getting ready to reminisce about a young man that will be graduating while I'm gone, one of my boys approached me. "Hey Ms. Lee?" "Yes?" "So...I know I kind of ruined the gnome in your office when I tried to fix him, so I wanted to give you this." And he hands me a little ceramic garden gnome. "I know you'll be gone for a month, and I hope you're know that we're really going to miss you. But I figured this guy could watch over you and make sure you feel better."

Cue the waterworks.

They may tantrum and call me names. They may tell me that hate me and say that they're going to refuse to meet with me. But gosh darn it, at the end of the day some days, I think they secretly like me.

Tomorrow is my last official day at work for the month. I'm still not 100% sure as to how I feel about it. Part of me is sad to go, part of me is a little happy about the break. Most of me knows that I'll be excruciatingly bored. But this isn't a blog about me or my job or my boys. It's about the fact that, in 36 hours, I'll be in the surgery prep area awaiting the close of one chapter in my life.

I've cried a few times today. In the shower this morning, I was convinced that I had made the wrong decision in choosing to do this surgery. When the gnome was placed in my hand, I teared up a little bit as I thanked the kiddo for his thoughtfulness. As I was driving home, realizing what the next few days would bring, I let out some tears of anxiety. Nothing's wrong with that. But it's certainly not comfortable at times. Funny how I again need to practice what I preach.

I don't doubt for a second that tomorrow will be difficult. And that tomorrow night, I wouldn't be surprised if I fell apart. But you know what the most glorious thing is? If I do fall apart, I have people in my life that will catch me and help me put the pieces back together. I am richly blessed for that.

Maybe my little gnome will bring me luck on Thursday and throughout the month of my healing. Maybe I'll give him a buddy once I get off the tilt-a-whirl and play some carnival games. Giant inflatable bat, anyone?