Grateful Friday

 Yesterday was for sure one of the hardest days I've had this school year.  (My friends, that is saying something.)

I was in pain.  I am bruised and sore and walk approximately like C-3PO on Star Wars.

My iPad has been updated and I couldn't figure out how to log into it.  I got locked out of trying.  That was frustrating.  

My students' behavior was pretty abysmal.

I had more parent teacher conferences and the AC wasn't working and my room was 81 degrees. (It wasn't even that hot outside.)

Most of the parents have been super kind about my cancer.  Last night one of the mothers told me, "My brother-in-law is a chemo scientist and it is really painful and awful and I'm sorry."

Well...thanks.

I had a one hour and fifteen minute parent teacher conference with one student's parents.  It was scheduled for 15 minutes.  Matt was there because this particular student is on the behavior struggle bus.  I had parents in the hall whose conferences were late.  They were mad.

It was intense.

So maybe you're wondering why I'm calling this post Grateful Friday. (Besides the reason that I usually do a Grateful Friday post.)

It is because I do after all have things to be grateful for.

For one thing:  it is General Conference weekend.  I am looking forward to having my soul lifted by hearing words about Jesus Christ and His gospel.  It is the balm I need.

Adam is coming home!  Tonight.  I could not be more grateful.

I'm also so grateful for Mark.  It is a gift and a blessing to have him living here.  He is the very picture of kindness and solicitousness.  He checks on me and does mundane tasks like take the garbage and recycling to the street and kisses my forehead.  He always says, "Just text me if you need me and I'll come running."

I'm grateful for my school friends.  I'm grateful Matt was there for that terrible conference.  He sent me to the hall to placate parents while he kept talking to the other parents.  

I finally told the parents that it was enough.  I didn't need to hear about what happened in first grade and second grade.  I said, "If your student is mistreated now, I will take care of it."

The mom rolled her eyes and said that it had happened this week and I had done nothing.

I looked at the student in the eyes and said, "You told me this week that something happened?"

They squirmed and said, "No..."

OK then.

I said, "I will take care of it.  You just have to tell me."

(The bemoaning of mistreatment was a huge deflection of misbehavior.  Apples don't fall far from trees.)

But I'm old enough to not be intimidated by parents, even the rolling of eyes variety.  Also, I had a newly placed port throbbing in my chest.  It's going to take more than an eye roll to get me to back down.

We had a break for dinner after that conference.  I brought Matt his water bottle he had left in my room.  He said, "The look on your face says it all."

I've never had much of a poker face.  And I'm grateful that my mouth doesn't need to say it when my face will.  I love the backing and support of a strong administrator.  We are on the same team and we are happy to be on the same team with parents and students too.

We just may call your bluff.

One cranky night (made more cranky by pain and all) does not sway my love for my job and my students.  Even that recalcitrant misbehaver.  I will keep working with them and for them.

I'm grateful we all get to keep trying.