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| Benefit to early morning walks? Beautiful sunrises. |
I had a moment of panic this morning. Returning from a
morning walk with Rosie, I was talking to Chris before he left for work. We
were talking about when school would begin and I replied teachers go back the
17th, students the 19th. He made the comment about how
early that seemed and left for work.
I glanced at my calendar and my stomach felt queasy. The 17th
was two weeks from yesterday, the 19th two weeks from tomorrow.
How does this happen? Every year the start of the school
year sneaks up on my, and yet every year I feel surprised. One would think I
would begin to expect this phenomenon, but no. Here I am, beginning my
sixteenth year in my district, twentieth in teaching, and I’m in the same
place.
Summer always comes exactly when I need it. I am, of course,
sad to see my students go, but I know it is time. They are ready to spread
their wings. I am in desperate need of some sleep and time with my own family.
My mind can focus on putting my own family first. I have visions of relaxing
mornings, cleaning sprees at my house, days spent reading and writing.
Some of that happens, much of it remains a fantasy.
In truth, my schedule is crazier in the summer than during the school year. Two boys in sports makes my head spin. Family trips, professional conferences, games, practices, tournaments – my mind whirls. And yet, it is easier. I am fully present, not having to juggle the demands of school and home. It is awesome.
At the end of July, I felt the urge. I began to write lesson
plans. I headed in for a few hours to get my classroom set up. I organized all
of the books I had read over the summer, added them to my data base, and bagged
them up to bring in. It was getting closer, I could feel it.
It was how close it truly was that threw me today. This week
hasn’t gone as planned. My van broke, again, this weekend. I love my
Silver Streak, but am not fond of three – now four – different repairs in one
summer. Either is my checkbook. So, no trip to Target on Sunday. No errands
ran, no classroom library organized. I feel behind, and that is not a feeling I
enjoy.
So, I do what I know needs to be done. Lists created. Trips by
bicycle to the Post Office to mail the letters to last year’s group, wishing
them well as they head on to middle school. Visits to school to dip my toe back
into the water, feel the excitement flood through me, know that it is almost
time.
Next week I will see my class lists. Know what group of kids
I am spending the next ten months with. Know who is part of my new school
family. It is then that it will seem real.
Fifteen days. Fifteen days until I stand in front of a room
full of students and feel that rush that comes from the start of a school year.
The rush that is full of possibility, the rush that reminds me that anything is
possible. Fifteen days. I am ready, and yet, I am not. I have fifteen days to
spend with Luke and Liam. To say yes to days spent at the pool, time with
friends, and yes, time spent organizing. Fifteen days. It is almost here.
