A Year Ago This Time

 A year ago this time, on a Monday, I took my daughter to school for her last day of in-person third grade.  My employer had already told us to work from home.  I took the day to go to the office of the company that I was on loan to, the last I would be in the office for what was originally "two weeks" ...where we would be told to work from home moving forward.  I gathered my things from that office, went to my main office to gather more things, and went home.  My daughter's school gave her two weeks' worth of school work and some Zoom meeting information. 

We started working from home on that Tuesday.  That week, all-in-all was good.  Being home meant safety and my family was all there.  Despite the fear of running out of toilet paper, food, cleaning supplies, etc., we were making it work.  I can't really complain about how it all turned out.  My gut told me that we would not return to normal in two weeks, and I was worried how it would all work out...but it did.

My daughter has been in school this year, with a million safety precautions.  I have been home for one year.  I really, truly, cannot complain.  I feel horrible about the loss of lives, the illnesses, the hopelessness for so many.  I am fortunate and lucky to have what I have, to have had a positive turn on this experience, and to still gain anything from this past year.  It is one I truly hope to never forget so I can always remember to put things in perspective.

Josh S.

 One of my classmates from Kindergarten thru High School passed away Friday, Jan 29.  Josh was so kind, energetic, and just a decent human.  We were never the best of friends, but we were never not friends.  It feels impossible to see him as anything but the child I knew...his blue eyes and blonde hair, typical 80's bowlish cut in a turtle neck.  

It's surreal that I'm at the point in life where I know more people dying than getting married or being born.  And to lose Josh...ugh, it's heartbreaking.

Rest in peace my dear friend, you are missed by so many.  My thoughts are with your family.

Home

My kiddo stayed home today.  She had an upset stomach. In these days of uncertainty, I opted for keeping her at home and picking up homework.  

It makes me think of when I was a kid staying home from school and waiting for my brother to come home with my homework.  If either of us was sick, the healthy-in-school one would have to go to the other's teacher after school to collect books and assignments.

Ahhh, the good old days.

Students Must Get Bored Without Toys

For those unaware, I have been on occasion teaching a class or two at a local university that is also my alma mater (I guess I've officially been accepted as faculty because lo and behold I've even been listed on their website).  I had some business to take care of at school yesterday so after my day job, I picked Lil Bit up from her grandparents' house and we headed to school.  She was eager to see where I taught as she understood I was a teacher of big kids.  (She has made her own declaration that she wants to one day be a teacher, but a teacher of small kids and not big kids).

We walked over to the new Art Building where I hold class and looked at the classroom...a large room with stadium style desk seating and a large white board and projector screen at the front of the room.  We walked in and she looked around; I could see the disappointment on her face.  She had formed her opinion of the room and that was that, she was ready to go.

Later that evening as we were preparing for bed she asked me, "where do they put the toys?"  I asked her what toys she was talking about and she clarified that she was asking about the toys for my classroom, inquiring, "don't the big kids get bored?"  I laughed, of course they do...that's why they play on their phones half the class.  I mentally took a step back and looked at my classroom through the eyes of a four year old whose experience with school was preschool, a place where there isn't an inch of space not covered in a colorful and fun manner.  I told her that my kids didn't get toys in school...she couldn't hide the unmistakable expression of sympathy on her face.  She promptly spoke up and said, "I'll sell you some of my toys so the big kids can have something play with at school."  I again had to laugh, it was such a sincere and kind thought (and have I not already paid for those toys?). I of course told her it was a good idea and she should tell me which toys I could buy.  She pondered and decided she couldn't really part with many of them and said, "I can sell you one toy and the big kids can share!"  In the end though, she decided she couldn't part, just yet, with any of her toys and the big kids will just have to be bored...but I have always heard it is supposed to be the thought that counts.

NabloPoNo Day 17 Post 14 - Reading Time Vomit

A story I promised...



I was about 6 years old in First grade. My mom was pregnant with my younger brother Drew, and for a period of time she was in the hospital with complications. [Please keep in mind that this was back in the day when hospitals kept a person for more than one day, and to me it seemed like an eternity, but could have been no more than a week perhaps]. I was very much a mama's girl and tried to stay attached to one of her legs at all times. There were a few times we were detached, one of which was school. After dragging me down the hall while I sobbed, she'd lob me through the classroom door and run as fast as she could out of my sight. Once in the classroom I seemed to calm myself enough to at least focus on getting to the end of the day.

I never enjoyed reading much at the age of 5-19, but I knew I had to learn so I tried for a few moments each day. The teacher, whose name I no longer know how to spell, would break us into groups and we'd each take our turn sitting in a circle around the teacher reading our few lines in the text book. I don't know how or when or why it would happen, but every day, EVERY SINGLE DAY, I would vomit! The got book covered, my clothes got littered, and the stench went every where! I would be sent to the Principal's office (who had my Aunt on speed dial since this was the routine); and from what I understand, my classmates grew to hate the pine scented absorbent that was sprinkled over my mess for cleaning.

Ah, those where the days!

...word...
raise: Parent or parents; the people who raised you.

In use: I am having Thanksgiving dinner with the raise this year.