Phew! It's been quite a ride this weekend and my nerves are frazzled to prove it! I haven't felt this way since the Great Adrenal Fatigue Episode of 2009.
Reason #1: I spend 9 hours this weekend cleaning out the office I share with my dear friend. We have shared this office for 12 years and she is taking the year off for medical reasons. Our classrooms connect through the office and it's been great for our friendship and our professional relationship. Teaching can be very solitary and sharing an office is very intimate. Anyway, we have the reputation of having a messy office. Our classrooms always look neat and orderly because we have a place to stash all the unsightly artifacts that working with children produces. Our office failed the annual fire inspection. Ordinarily, I'd be ticked that we have to move filing cabinets and bookcases that have been in place for 12 years and never failed any other inspection. But, after saying the Serenity Prayer a few thousand times and going to through anger management training and after having been through the most ridiculous changes at school over the last 4 years, I've gotten used to surrender. Even though I firmly believe there are too many chiefs and not enough indians (so sorry that is so not PC), I've resigned to the fact that I don't want to be a chief and am a lowly indian so I better just buck up and follow the directions.
Reason #2: I had a cup of coffee this morning. Haven't had coffee in months and boy, it totally revved me up today.
Reason #3: Guitar Man told me right before Mass today that he saw an ambulance in front of our neighbors house as he left. AJ and I go to Mass separately because AJ has RE beforehand. My neighbors are the most wonderful people and I was so worried. They are fine- it turns out the ambulance was for another neighbor. G and L are in their late 70s and they are such wonderful role models to us. They are immigrants from Germany. They grew up during WWII and came here with nothing. G actually spent 5 years as a refugee in Norway. They were housed in a prison (can you imagine?) and thought their father was dead. The Red Cross reunited them and they moved here. Anyway, they are just a delight and I am so thankful to God that they are healthy tonight.
Reason #4: God, in His infinite mercy, gave me a surprising gift this weekend. No, I'm not pregnant. It's a gift I never knew I needed and am totally unworthy of receiving. He affirmed me, He validated me, He used an outward sign to show His love. It's a whole post in and of itself because it's complicated and layered and personal. I've never done well with affirmation or validation. So. I'm just trying to let it sink in past the coffee jitters and speak to my soul.
May God Bless you tonight.
First off, you have an office??? I am so jealous! I have to find places to work when my students are in my room and I have planning time. I am so jealous!
ReplyDeleteI'm an Indian, too, and I like it. I want to just do my job and get my paycheck. I don't need the stress of being the one in charge of everything. No thanks. Can't wait to read the story about the affirmation. Intrigued.
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