A Slower Pace

Today is going to be a long day.  It's Friday.  It's the last day before Spring Break.  There's a 100% chance of rain, and we all know what that means: indoor recess.  

To further complicate matters I was at a PTA meeting until 8:30 last night.  When I arrived home, my husband was just getting ready to leave to pick up our older son from his band concert at the high school. So, he and my younger son hopped into my car and off we went.  Since none of us had eaten, we stopped to pick up a quick dinner on the way back home.  Nothing like eating at 9:30 p.m.!

So, it was well after 10:00 before my head hit the pillow.  For some people, that may seem early.  For me, that's late.  Especially since I awoke at 4:30 this morning and dragged myself out of bed so I could try to get some writing in before I had to get ready for work.  I am a person who needs her sleep and six hours just doesn't cut it.

A rainy day Friday and a lack of sleep is a deadly combination.

I am hoping that the beacon of light that is Spring Break (and perhaps an extra cup of coffee) will get me through.  Less than ten hours to go!  I will be the little engine that could, chanting, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

Children coming into the room screaming? "I think I can."

Phone ringing, interrupting my lessons?  "I think I can."

Student complaining that someone looked at them funny? "I think I can."

Another student telling me that they don't have their report ready to present and explaining why it's not their fault? "I think I can."

Students fighting over who gets to spin the spinner on the Twister game? "I think I can."

The final bell of the day ringing?  "I did it!"

I'm not sure who will be happier at the end of the day, the kids or I.  It's not that I don't love my job, I do. My class has the ability to drive me crazy, but down deep (sometimes it's really down deep) I adore them.

But I need time to breathe.

I need some time to move at a slower pace.  I need time to think, time to plan, time to dream, and time to just do whatever I feel like doing in the moment.  When school is in session, there is never enough time. It seems like I am always rushing from one thing to the next, leaving a trail of unfinished projects (and a huge pile of papers needing to be filed) behind me.  There is no time to catch up as there is constantly something new that needs doing.

After Spring Break there will be that final mad push to the end of the year. State testing is just around the corner.  Open House looms ahead. Field trips. Assessments. End-of-year parties. Final report cards.  The list goes on and on. It will be crazy.  It always is. A break is definitely needed to re-energize before that last dash to the finish line.

Nine more hours.  Can I make it?

I think I can.