A June Letter To Myself

I was thinking... I should write a letter to myself to read the next year for every month. It would help me out so much to remember. If I did, here's what I would write to myself in June: 

Dear Tara, 

Well, you made it to June. First of all, be so proud of yourself. You've taught those fourth graders from September til now. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Gemetry, Decimals, Science... you've helped them 'publish' four books. You've taught 6 units of literacy too. You've taught at least 3 mini lessons a day times 184 days. You've corrected, mentored, answered emails, gone to all of the staff meetings. And yes, you've even gotten up and and gotten dressed 184 times! So yes, first of all, congratulations. 

Try to remember the good that you poured into your family this school year while all of that was going on. I'm sure you've helped them through challenges, encouraged them, and just been there for them. Remember that and let go of what you are still worried about for this month. 

It's okay to feel exhausted. In this month you are navigating 'big feelings' with the transition to summer, and you've just celebrated both of your daughters one year older. It's a lot to make those days special for them but also you are feeling a lot in them turning one year older. You will feel proud of them but also a bit sad for the little days going farther away in the rearview mirror. 

Give yourself a full seven days of summer break (weekend days can count toward those seven). I don't know how you don't remember any year, but it takes a full seven days to feel 'normal', to feel good about down time, to get into a slower summer pace. 

Make a list of house tasks that feel overwhelming and out of order throughout June. Hang it on the frig and then add to it as you go through the month. Everytime you write something on the list, take it off your mind and don't even think about those annoying things you 'just can't seem to get to' until the last day of school. Think: on the list = out of my mind. Remember, the list might look overwhelming as you add and add but just a few summer days and it'll all get done. Ahhhhh. 

Try to prioritze sleep in June. If all else fails on a daily to do list: pray, read your Bible and sleep need to be a priority. 

Remember being quiet at home is a strength in this much pressure. Before school is out and you are 'going through' June is NOT the time to dig deep on a subject with your daughters. You will be so much more capapable of softening their hearts when you are on summer break. (Make a list for those topics too) 

Lean into your senses. As corny as it sounds, it works. Take a step back and look at what is in front of you. How wonderful it feels to 'hear' the chatter of your college daughter home. Taste your food. Light a candle at home every evening. Put on soft music in the morning before school, as soon as you get home, and in the evening. At school when it's early in the morning, turn on worship music. Let it fill your empty classroom and your heart - trust me, it will carry you through June. 

And finally ask God for help. You will feel so busy that you will want to do it all in your own strength. You can't. Talk to him like a friend. Pray while you are folding laundry, driving to school, as you feet hit the floor in the morning. 

And just know that this is the way June is. And it's all okay. You were meant to go through Anna's birhtday, Abigail's birthday, your Mom's birthday, you Mother in laws birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day all in this short period. Do what you can and let the rest go. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just done with good intention and love. 

Oh Tara, you can do this. You've been through this so many times. Summer is coming, summer is coming, summer is coming. 

❤ Love me