Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Sufficient was the Day

Pin It I love my job.

Don’t get me wrong.

But some days are just hard.

There are moments when one feels like a glorified babysitter: dealing with problems, trying to get the kids to be nice to each other, tutoring long after most others have gone, as well as trying to teach the curriculum during the course of a day which is much too short already—and yet far too long in the same breath.

As I left the building this evening, the sun was rapidly making its descent into the western skyline; a barrage of color ignited the azure horizon with rusty blood and saffron.

Another calendar day was done. Another battle fraught with hard work completed. It was now time to go home and recharge for yet another voyage into the fray on the morrow.

Yet, I felt content for the day. A wholesome meal was only moments away, and a drive home fraught with the music I love.

I climbed into my car and put the keys into the ignition. It was then that I saw the torn piece of notebook paper held under my windshield wiper, fluttering lightly in the gentle evening breeze like eggshell sparrow wings. It had been hastily torn from a student’s notebook.

I climbed from my car to investigate.

I read.

I grinned.

I was invigorated; the batteries were already starting to recharge.

The sunset was twice as beautiful as it was before.

Sufficient was the day.

19 comments:

A Lark said...

That's a sweet note. Too bad my kids can't write that well...

Rachel said...

And now you can see why babies and children go to sleep at night. For that very same reason. We go in and see them resting, so peacefully, our hearts swell with love, and it charges us for another tomorrow.

Otherwise, we'd murder em all in their sleep!

What a sweet note. Everyone needs to be told that they are appreciated and do a good job.

Well done Mr. Z. Well done!

L said...

Another awesome note to add to your treasure trove of "pick-you" ups on rough days. The best kind of notes.

Richard & Natalie said...

That note means even more knowing that they've seen that message somewhere before. They are paying attention, TF.

And I think its sufficient to say you're getting through to them.

MindyElias said...

I love this story!

Today one of my kids ran back into the building of chaos as I've been calling it lately and hugged me and she told me she loved me.

And all the chaos melted away.

So I get this......all of me gets this.

Continue to Be Great :)

Bee said...

I REALLY need one of my students to leave me a note like that, because things have a little crazy in classrooms down south lately:)

One of my students yelled out "Jesus!" yesterday during a not so calm moment, and my response? "I think a few more of you need to call out to Him for help right now because my patience is running thin!" Of course it was said in jest and pure blunt honesty:)

mamahasspoken said...

We all need to have notes like that once in a while. Once a day would be better.

Shannon said...

This is beautiful. It is a harrowing process to keep my own four children in order - I have a tremendous amount of respect for those of you who venture out each day and tend to whole classrooms full of kids. What a wonderful encouragement!

Cari said...

Gotta love that! :) You should hang that on the fridge so you can see it every day.

Gerb said...

Things like this just make me happy.

Linn said...

Fine story Mr. Z. Moments like that really are enough to recharge your batteries.

Amy said...

Ah, what a beautiful story! It made me smile and remember why I love to teach!

mywest said...

Its little things like this that makes what we do worthwhile. Thanks for all those little Joey's.

Teachinfourth said...

I was going to do individual comments, but I simply can't. My bed is calling, and I am going to listen to its beckoning.

Thanks for the notes, really. Hearing from you always helps to brighten my day as well.

~Teachinfourth

tiburon said...

That is the sweetest thing ever. I have those days as a parent all the time - and then my kids draw me a picture and all is right with the world.

I totally get it.

Sarah said...

*sigh* We ALL need a little charging now and then. What a great way to end the day!
(word verification: comolook) Hee, hee!

tammy said...

Unexpected words of kindness....nothing better. I can tell you are the type of person and teacher that touches many lives.

Unknown said...

Awwwww. Goosebumps. You have some sweet kids, Tchr.

K.J. said...

This made me smile...:)

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