Thanksgiving

November 18, 2007
Wow, a whole week off! Now that's a reason to give thanks for the holiday. I still have restless dreams filled with teaching anxiety and wake up at 6:00 a.m. - my mind racing with all the things I need to get done which makes it impossible to sleep in on these days I have off. It's different, too, while my wife and daughter are away. She's been on the road for the past week with her Celtic band. So, without the incentive of someone to come home to, I find myself staying later at school and going to bed later at night. I do get more work done, but I know I need to look after my well-being.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for all the support from my friends and family. Your encouragement and reassurance that I am doing the right thing is immensely uplifting and empowering. There is so much uncertainty in teaching and yet so much that is expected of my performance, it's easy to feel like I "carry the weight of the world on my shoulders". Every morning, Kathy wakes up just enough to give me a hug and say, "One day at a time", and sometimes she'll send me text messages while I'm teaching with words of endearment or humor that can have a profound affect on my attitude and presence.

When we parted ways last Monday for this week-and-a-half apart, I felt more emotional than I have for a long time. Partly because I'll be missing my wife and daughter, but it also occurred to me just how much I've depended on their love and support to get me through this challenging time in life. I don't know if or how I could survive this experience without them. I feel like an egg sometimes. I know I have a "soft" heart and feel sensitive inside, but it requires a very hard shell to protect myself in front of all the students who will take advantage of any weakness they find in a teacher. They definitely try to push one's buttons and test my limits, but once I "crack", it's all over.

Well, I better make use of my time now. So, here's to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving along with ladles full of my gratitude for all the ways each of you has reached out and offered support to people like me in times of need and uncertainty - with many happy returns.


Gobble Gobble!