Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Loss



My sweet cat, Horatio, died this morning. The husband and I helplessly watched him take his last breath at 6:25 am. This has been such a surreal day...my mind has been kind of cloudy. I tried to make it at school today, but the wonderful people with whom I work took care of things so that I could come home and well, take care of things. My precious parents and daughter helped me, and then the daughter kept me busy for the rest of the day.
Horatio had been sick since just before Christmas, so he has been much of my focus during my at home hours. I had some really tender moments with him, and I am fortunate for having had the opportunity to have such a great cat.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Monday Mushrooms


Just so you know, it is not Monday. It felt like a Monday all day. One of those kinds of days. It is also not spring, but who can tell with the weather we've had lately. The mushrooms are even confused.
Today was our second day back after the holidays, but our first day with students.
Whew.
I only thought I was well rested and relaxed. At the end of this day, I felt much like I had lived through five days in one. By my calculations then, tomorrow should be Friday!
Alas. It is not.
There are so many reasons why I love being a teacher. I love the moment when a student really gets it. I live for the days when my classroom is buzzing with activity and everyone seems tuned in to something fun that I have dreamed up....that happens, you know. Really. It does. I could go on and on about what I love, but today....with spring-like weather....and middle-schoolers....
Yeesh. I had to remind myself why I do what I do. I summoned up every single fabulous moment to remind myself that I do love teaching!
I imagined in my infinite wisdom that the students would return today sleepy and sullen and quietly withdrawn...kind of in the coma of too many late night television shows and sleepy afternoons of video game stupor...Ha! Comotose they were not. Quiet they were not. Sleepy they were not. It was not the worst day in my history of education. It was, however, a shock to my system. Perhaps, I was sleepy and quietly withdrawn and sullen...too many late night television movies and sleepy afternoon books...
Whatever the reason, school has returned with a vengence. The sad part is spring really is right around the corner for us.
Excuse me while I step away from the keyboard for a moment of prayer.
Hope things are great wherever you are. Happy New Year!