Merry meet and merry part. (On working with kids)

Working with kids (not your own) means inevitably saying goodbye at some point. Whether you are a coach, a teacher, or a mentor - at some time in the process, your work with them will be complete and it will be time to let them go. In many cases, you may never see them again - but the time you spent with them was an investment in their future. It's right and fit that you release them to continue on their own paths. Others will continue their education - and often you have a new group of kids waiting for you to start the process all over again.

Life, after all, is a circle.

The Wiccans of the world have a saying, "Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again". It acknowledges that life is a series of "hellos" and "goodbyes", all of which should be approached with joy, knowing that no separation is ever permanent, and that we are all part of the whole that is Spirit.

Of course, none of this makes it any easier for me to let them go. After you have invested so much of your time and talents with them, saying "goodbye" is never easy - at least not for me.

I'm at such a point today. After six months working with a high school musical theatre group, tonight the show closes and it will be my turn to let go. This is the first time I've faced this moment as a Witch, and I find myself looking to my faith to provide a foundation from whence I can approach this moment with acceptance and peace.

The following blessing came to me, as do most of my prayers, right when I needed it most.

Tonight, before anyone arrives at the theatre, I will call the corners and cast the following spell as my way of saying "goodbye". As I watch them tonight, I will look into their faces and remember the blessing:

Mother Creator
Father Builder
Watch them as they grow
Teach them what they need to know
And let them teach those that follow, in their turn
Blessed Be, each and all