Saturday, September 3, 2016

I'll Always Remember August 2016

Arizona always gifts spectacular sunsets, but she saves her best for August as a birthday gift to me--snapshots of twilight moments attending first concerts and season-opening football games and driving carpool and relaxing at the cabin and a special cotton candy sky on my special day of the year.

Life cycles, and each time it changes, I learn the same lessons through different eyes. Take time for the little things. Watch the rain, hold a child's hand, listen to a friend, pray for someone you love.

August 2016--the moment in my adult life when I joined the workforce. Wow. School kicks my butt every day in ways I never imagined, yet it brings me so much joy. When I toss my leather satchel into my boiling car at the end of 7 1/2 straight hours of teenagers and colonial America and the exhaustion suddenly creeps from where it's been lurking, I catch myself smiling. That's when I think, "They pay me to do this. I can't believe they pay me for this."

This last week was especially difficult as I learned how hard it is to grade 128 essay tests in 29 hours, plus find time to sleep, shower, mother, and eat--one of the hardest things I've done in a long time. With 18 essays to go, I wanted to give up. My hand ached and my neck ached and my back ached and my butt ached, but I soldiered on.

I think I can do this.
I think I will do this.
I think I'm pretty good at this.

While August was far from perfect, I loved August. This new chapter in my life brings new yet familiar challenges--finding balance, learning patience, tackling new experiences. And they haven't fired me yet, so I'll be at it again for September.

Wow. I can't believe my life.

2 comments:

  1. I'm so glad things are going well for you...I've been wondering how you're doing! Those students are so fortunate to have you!

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  2. My sister says teaching wears her out and gives her energy at the same time. An interesting dichotomy, isn't it? A great recipe for career happiness, she thinks.

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