Day 15 - Thankfulness

I had a dream last night.  I dreamed that I went to work and had no responsibilities.  I had no students.  I did not go to any meetings.  No one asked me for my advice.  Everybody else was busy and doing this and that and I just walked around the school (the new school) and did nothing.

It was horrible.  It was so empty.  I hated it. 

It reminded me of how much I love all of those things that complicate my life. 

I am thankful that I have a job that I love.  I can't think of one student that I wouldn't miss if they quit coming to my class.  In fact there are many others I wish I had time for.  I like digging and searching for that magic that will turn them on to learning and success.  I want to be that teacher that they tell their children about.  The one who believed in them and loved them and gave them snacks and taught them how to read and love books. 

And I love being a part of the solution.  Putting my head together with others who have a desire to make our school better.  Others who are willing to commit extra time and energy.  Others who struggle too with a heavy workload and keep going because its really the only choice.  Others who pick up my slack when I am down and whose slack I pick up when they are down.  My team.  My friends.

My job is not perfect.  It never will be.  I didn't even want to be a teacher.  I felt a calling to be a teacher.  I said no to God for 2 years because I didn't want to be a teacher.  And finally I said yes.  I traded a part-time job that paid very well for teaching.  It was crazy.  I will never regret it.  It is what I am meant to do.  Even when it is hard and I am tired it is what I am meant to do.