Every August, when I see the back-to-school ads, my stomach twists into knots. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many years since I’ve been a student, and I’ve been out of teaching now for five years.
But when the school supply ads start running, my body does this Back to the Future time travel thing, and I start worrying about class lists and buildings without air conditioning and how much time is needed to get a room ready. Since I don’t have to worry about those things for myself, I worry about them for all my teacher friends which I’m sure they appreciate a whole bunch.
This August, I’ve got deadlines that are keeping me as busy as any teacher I know. My fingers are actually getting sore from typing. Even though there’s a clock ticking in the back of my mind as time goes by faster than I can type, a bushel full of gratitude sits alongside that ticking clock.
I’m grateful for a husband who supports me. I’m grateful for a daughter who loves college and a son who raises goats at a monastery. I’m grateful for a comfortable home and all the fresh vegetables our CSA share is providing this month. I’m grateful for a warm day and laundry to hang on the line. I’m grateful, delighted and astounded by the opportunity to write each day and have a book contract deadline.
Someday, maybe even next year, I hope to change my back-to-school ad reaction. A little happy dance and a song of praise would be nice change of pace from a knot in the stomach. So keep your eyes and ears open next August. I might put on quite a show. You won’t want to miss it.
