In the Captain's Seat

Life truly is stranger than fiction.

After oversleeping, losing my ID card, having the gas pump not accept my debit card, and spilling coffee on myself, I travelled with due haste to school. Living fifty or so miles from work makes for a long commute in the morning. The added addition of having the majority of the commute consist of highway miles gives the mind a chance to wander freely. When the mind wanders freely, of course, anxiety starts to kick in.

In this case, it was not only the first day of school. It was also my first day as a full-fledged teacher. New students and new responsibilities really don't allow a bagel with cream cheese to settle well in one's stomach. I remember arriving at the school, parking in my designated spot, and sitting for a few minutes to reflect on the morning and my life. If my life were a roller coaster, it would out perform sales on all major amusement parks in North America. I suppose it can be a good and bad thing. I, myself, don't really like roller coasters. Bumper cars are more my thing... fried dough as well.

The apex of this romantic comedy of a day came at the sounding of the bell which lets students know that they can enter the building. It was common knowledge at the end of the last school year that my position had been eliminated and that I was not returning in the Fall. Most students were unaware that I had been rehired. Surprise!!! Yes, it was quite an emotional reunion.

Right before the credits rolled, I was presented with a token of appreciation by two of my former students. A hot pink necktie.

Simply awesome.

The truth is, it's the little things that make all the difference. I often thought that possessing the qualities of a charismatic adult would help touch not only students' minds but also have an impact in the way they see and feel about themselves.

I realized today that this idea works both ways as it was they who had the impact on me.

It is good to be home!!!