1. If you haven't heard the story of my new iPhone yet...here it is:
If you know me, you know I have wanted a new iPhone 4G since their first release but have patiently put it off because a) I really wanted the white one and b) I live on a teacher's salary and vet bills were high. I loved my previous old and worn iPhone but I really wanted the upgrade. The last day of school before break, right before my whole leadership class got busy implementing our month's work on the 2010 Talent Show:"Oh the places you'll go, Oh the talent you'll see" I wanted to give them their gift. It was cheesy- a poem I had written about all of them and how blessed I was to be their teacher and how much they positively impacted our school. I read the poem, got a little teary eyed and got ready to send them into action when I was stopped and told they had a gift for me. I insisted it wasn't necessary but a few got up to watch closer. As I opened the thick envelope I got nervous- this is in fact the same group of kids who have duct taped me to my chair, tp'ed my house, and like to jump out and scare me from time to time, so I kind of expect shenanigans from them. I opened the card, did a glance and thanked them. They said to read it. I did what adults do in situations where they don't want to get all choked up over a silly card so I told them I would read it later...they insisted. I read it and what I saw at the end shocked me. It said" This card is for an iPhone! Merry Christmas! We love you!" I looked up confused and they handed me an iPhone box and inside was a gift card for the exact amount of a new phone. I was floored, I immediately cried, and then a group hug manifested in my room and the only recreation would be something off of a cheesy high school musical re-enactment. It is not just this gift (which is something I REALLY wanted) but it is that these kids... all 35 of them, came together to do something for me just because they wanted to. I quickly learned that one students had set a plan in motion. He had talked to my best friends who are teachers at the school, talked with my co-teacher to make sure it was okay, and worked with other students to get the whole thing taken care of. I have to admit that the rest of the day really was amazing.
What I can tell you is that I have an amazing family and friends. I am blessed to be in a profession that means that I learn just as much if not more than I teach. I can also tell you that I am so grateful for everyone and everything I have. After all that it seems like the exclamation point is guaranteed.
Then there is this other side of the holiday season. The part where everything reminds me of my mom. I haven't really written anything about her and don't really want to start... but I will say this. This time of year reminds me of how no matter what the current situation I was guaranteed time with her. It was a time when my brother and I came together with the hopes that we could end the year right. It also meant a time where I would continually hope things would get better. 'It's a Wonderful Life' was on TV last night and I got immediate images of her, Paul McCartney plays on SNL and I think of her, and I begin to think that I am never going to have a Christmas with her again and I am wrecked...because there is no wishing for things to get better.
I think this year I will get through the holidays trying to focus on the good things life has to offer.
with faith,
Karen
