I’m awake behind closed eyes
noting the whooshing sounds
of far away freeway noise
(at 2 in the morning? seriously?)
and a howling, train-whistly
cry rises in the distance
through my open night window.
The coyotes are stirring, too.
The Psalmist David writes
of being awake through the
watches of the night
and I wonder if he lay there
with thoughts of
four year olds and beanbags
and paint smocks.
Tossed and turned about
lunch schedules and potty breaks
and keeping the floors clean from playdoh.
No. Probably not.
A modern Psalmist, I worry now
about forms and paperwork,
cramming art supplies
onto too small shelves
and where is our broom?
I forgot to break down all
the boxes we unpacked.
And my meet and greet
conferences with the 4 year old parents
will have me running day and night
this week….
All those children know is there will be
games to play and balls to bounce,
paint to drip and splatter
and friends to meet (and maybe hug).
They’ll wonder about meeting the
New Teacher (moi),
but I’m guessing right now
they’re snoozing soundly,
leaving those watches of the night to the grown ups.
It is hectic sometimes….. And the kids will never know your sacrifices and worries, not even when they repeat them for their own children. Most importantly hug them dearly and let them know your hugs are free and always readily available. That's truly our reward…… Nice remeniscent poetry……
my prayer is you could do as David did – trust it ALL to His hands 🙂
Brian, you are right about the privilege of impacting the young ones–which is why I went back to Early Childhood education. Magic happens there.
Love it..the freedom of learning of the young…the costs rise higher later but the benefits are same as similar.
ha. being a teacher the first week of school has its merits as well…all those fresh minds ready to be molded….before you get jaded by their unwillingness….but then again, they often surprise us…
Delightful read, Jody with a y.
Many blessings on your school year, Jody.Fondly,Glenda