The Ritual of Adjourning

Groups of all kinds come and go throughout our lives. Sometimes. Some groups stay together forever. Some shift or alter in some capacity. The degree of attachment within a group is unique to each experience as well.
I remember well a parent educator training program I was a part of for two intensive months. I moved to a completely different state to attend. It was a highly sentimental experience for me both commencing and adjourning. My son was about 1, I had been suffering terribly with postpartum depression accompanying the pregnancy, birth, and subsequent illness and death of my mother. This parent educator group provided a transformational experience that helped me completely shift my lens on and understanding of children and childhood while simultaneously working deeply on my heart and soul as a mother and person. Since it was such a vulnerable and life-changing subject, paired with an extremely loving and supportive atmosphere, the imprint left on my heart was much deeper than other groups or teams I've been a part of.

One aspect I found so lovely was the director's belief in rituals. She made each stage so magical and special. I remember doing a symbolic entering of the "space" on the first day and when we adjourned on the last day we all sang and danced to the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. So touching.
As for the online nature of this degree program, I feel like the end of each class if an adjourning of sorts. I very much feel like I give a heartfelt "Namaste" to everyone. I am sure the very final class will give me pause and I will send a lot of heartfelt energy to everyone involved, classmates and teachers alike. Everyone has helped to shape and enhance my learning and evolving over the course of this year. So, again, thank you.