The Perfect Storm

Halloween is near.  There will be a full moon, and in my part of the world, barometric pressure will be dropping.  For my colleagues still in the teaching trenches, this absolutely constitutes the perfect storm.  Any one of those elements by itself is cause for concern, but this triad is guaranteed chaos, albeit controlled chaos.

Regardless of your school's policy regarding the wearing of costumes, you will undoubtably come across at least two Elsas, several zombies, more than a few witches, and a green Hulk making a run for the trash can to throw up because he's already found and broken in to his mother's stash of Halloween goodies.

You will deal with several irate parents that fall on one side or the other of the "For crying out loud, let kids be kids for once," and "Halloween is a pagan ceremony and should not be brought into our kids' classrooms."  You needn't bother responding that you do not make school policy because said parent is already making his or her way to the principal's office where they will continue ranting.  If your school is really special, you'll have parents with placards protesting in front of your school.

You will not be able to hand out even a token piece of Halloween candy, at least in our state, as it is prohibited.  You might choose to make due with new pencils for everyone, but this is itself a rather fruitless effort as 90% of your students will pull off the erasers on top and chew on them.

If by chance you get a moment to sit at your desk, an activity frowned on by most administrators, don't plan on staying there long, as every third student will come up behind you and yell "BOO!' In an attempt to scare you into taking an unscheduled restroom break.

You will survive.  Even if you have lunchroom duty.  Even if one of your little darlings tries to "trick" you by placing a tack in your chair (veteran teachers know that checking before sitting is a given).
Even when you're asked for the 1,342, 567th time, "Guess what I'm going to be for Halloween?"
You will even survive the pumpkin-painting contest (no knives allowed).

It might behoove you to place a witch hat and a broom in your coat closet, should you be fortunate enough to to have one.  Allow a few glimpses of said objects throughout the day, simply as a matter of self-defense.

Remember that after all is said and done, there is always the possibility of midnight margaritas at Friday's choir practice,

This entry is dedicated to my colleagues still in the teaching trenches.

Saints and Sinners

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.  Credit that line to whoever came up with it first-it's been rolling around awhile.  I readily admit I have travelled both paths more than once.  That, however, is not my point of discussion.

My first point concerns the people that have crossed my path along the way.  I have met people on either end of the spectrum, and I have to say, the human spirit continues to amaze me.  So many leaning towards the saint side have overcome obstacles I don't think I could have endured.  Just as many nearer the sinners side are finding their way out of a morass of misguided attempts to find a better way.  I'll not name names, but many of you may recognize yourselves.

My second point concerns the path itself.  It would seem to be a continuum with Point A representing the saints, and Point Z representing the sinners.  Are we to be consigned to an existence that volleys us back and forth between the two points in a never-ending cosmic ball game of some sort?

I would most emphatically say indeed not.  Imagine that as you're volleying back and forth, you just happen to land out-of-bounds.  It does happen.  Should you be fortunate enough to be graced with this out-of-bounds existence, pause. Pause. Take it in.  Take it all in.  Open your eyes, your mind, and your heart.  The very air that you breathe sparkles with opportunity.  The people you find yourself in the midst of sprinkle kindness like glitter wherever they go.  Though you may at times venture off this new-found path, you have forever gained the ability to recognize those that have traveled this common road.  A connection is felt, unable to be described with mere words.  You travel in a world of silver-lined clouds full of joy, amongst people that have an infinite capacity for love and mercy.

Take a chance, if one isn't thrown to you first.  Step out-of-bounds.  It's a lovely place to be.