Teenagers

I have written about my children many times in the past.  They are easy to write about! They are constantly doing something that sparks my need to write... or vent in this case.  Calling them children is a misnomer.  My oldest is 20... so a quasi-adult and the youngest is 17....a wanna-be adult. The 20-year-old is away at college so our interactions are limited to phone calls, text messages, and the occasional snap.  The 17-year-old is here at home in all his teenage glory.

The thing about teenagers is there are a lot like toddlers.  They are longing for independence but not super sure how to get it.  They still want you to help them if they fail but don't really want you to help at all... if that makes sense.  The MAJOR difference between the two stages is a toddler's quest for independence is small in comparison... like jumping off the bed or telling you a defiant no.  A teenager's quest for independence is WAY bigger and comes with so much worry for the parent. 

Another fabulous - insert major eye roll here - thing about teenagers is that their emotions can switch on a dime. For example, yesterday we were having a great day.  The weather was nice, and we had been chatting companionably on the new deck.  We read a little, listened to his newfound love of PINK FLOYD?!? , and just hung out.  Then, we came inside.  The wanna-be adult was getting bored, he wanted something to do.  He started the familiar refrain of "I am bored... what can I do.... I want to do something".  So I started suggesting things... first mistake.  All my suggestions were wrong, not something he wanted to do, or dumb.  "No, I don't want to do that... why would I clean my room... the book is boring... I will run later... no I don't want to cook... MOM!"  Meanwhile, my husband is in the kitchen growing more irritated by the second... as am I but I know not to poke the bear.  Finally, my husband while he is walking out the door to start the grill snaps, "Stop Whining! Find something to do".  Uh - Oh ... he poked the bear.  Doors are slammed, feet are stomped and the quiet afternoon is OVER. Well.. it was quiet since he didn't talk to us until right before bed.  Teenagers can hold that moody, angst for a LONG time!

I love my wanna-be adult, don't get me wrong.... he is a great kid! I know this will pass and he will grow out of this.  But right now... parenting a teenager is no joke! 

Spring Fever

 Spring is here... you can tell by the crisp mornings and cool afternoons.  You can tell by the birds chirping in the early morning and the misty fog that rolls off the fields.  You see more people walking, porch sitting, and outdoor dining. You can tell by the increased energy in a classroom!

I began to notice the tell-tale signs of classroom spring fever earlier in the week.  The slightest uptick in temperature begins to alert the little people that summer is around the corner.  They become more restless, more apt to blurt, and they nit-pick each other more.  

The little humans begin to beg for more recess... "please five more minutes?.... that wasn't enough time..." Recess time during the spring fever outbreak becomes a time of intense competition and an increase in arguments.  "Mrs. Garrison... he cheated....she won't let me play.... he broke the hula hoop...". In fairness to the little humans, the big humans want to spend more time outside, too.  We all enjoy the break from the stale classroom air and breathing in the fresh air.... unless you have allergies!

Spring fever is a thing...  just like the way teachers can predict a full moon.  We can tell that the temperature is warming, that spring sports are ramping up and the kids have been staying up later.  Homework is left undone, kids are more tired, and more minutes are spent staring out the window.  Ask any Educator you know, they know when spring is coming without looking at a thermometer! 

17 year olds

One positive outcome of the pandemic is that I was afforded the extra time to spend with my then 16 and 19-year-old sons.  I will treasure the extra time spent with them... it was a gift that I would not have had in a normal year.  Since August, I have not had the same amount of time with my boys.  My oldest went back to college and is now about four hours away.  My youngest is back at school and so am I.

Once school resumed in October, I have been busier than ever learning to navigate teaching virtually and face to face at the same time.  I haven't had the energy to sit and talk and am often asleep by the time he is ramping up.  I really began to miss the talks, the closeness, or even just sitting side by side watching a silly show.

Yesterday, I was needed a favor from my now 17-year-old. I was taking the chicken brooder and supplies back to my classroom and I needed his car and his muscles.  After some negotiating, we brought the supplies back to school.  Now, he hasn't been inside my school, his old elementary school, since last year.  We have made some changes to the school since he was last here.  Our new principal added these wonderful pictures from a national gallery.  These pictures are all of children from the Middle East. Most are very poignant, often evoking sadness, and at the very least causes you to pause and look at them.  We have around 100 or so of these pictures... they are on every hall.

His first reaction was "What are those"? "Why are they here?" "They are a little creepy".  Then he began to discuss the pictures.  He immediately understood why a school would want to show those pictures.  He just couldn't understand WHY his old school would want to.  In his 17-year-old very idealistic mind he just didn't see how it would make a difference.  Listening to his thought process play out, I was amazed at how intelligent he is.  He could see it from all angles.  He saw why the school wanted to expose the kids to the pictures.  He knew that showing the faces of kids who were less fortunate was important.  He feared that we were over generalizing the situation... that not all kids in these countries looked like that.  He talked about how he used to think all of Africa was poor when in fact there are countries that have wealth.  Didn't we need some pictures of US kids in poverty so they could compare that? He talked about how 99% of the kids just look at the pictures and don't pay much attention to the situation. The conversation went on and on and on!  It was fascinating and he made some very valid points.

That car ride was a gift.  A gift to see his mind working, to have more than a few word conversation, and a chance to learn from him.  I know today, I looked at the pictures differently.  I wondered how I can ensure that the students "see" them for what they are.  How can I incorporate that young idealism into my classroom?  Lots of thoughts today for me... all after a chance to talk to my youngest.

Now, in all seriousness, some of the conversations were pure kid.  Like... why are all the walls brown?  It's an elementary school - shouldn't they be orange or pink?  Why would you want the school to be so modern?  Shouldn't it be happy and bright? I got nothing to say to that... he is right again! 😀

Things I Have Learned

 It has been a year since the world changed for so many of us.  That sounds so dramatic... but it did change.  We have lost our normal, our security, and for some our lives.  Covid has drastically changed the way in which we view the world, each other, and things may never be the same again.  I choose to see what is positive about this situation... I refuse to be mired in the muck of negativity.  I have decided to reflect on the things that I have learned. So here goes, here are my musings on what I have learned.

1. Toilet paper, paper towels, Lysol wipes, and cans of Lysol are something people really need.

2. I have come to recognize the various brands of "Lysol" wipes by their smells... they are not all the same.

3. People need people.

4. My family is pretty cool.

5. Watching your children navigate this new normal is humbling and rewarding.

6. I have raised some really resilient children, who in the face of a pandemic rose to the challenge and created a new normal.

7. Kids need face-to-face school - sure some perform well virtually - but they need the interaction of their peers, the closeness of their teacher, and the overall structure of face-to-face school.

8. Staying connected with family and friends is very important - even if it's virtually.

9. People need to choose kind - wear the mask - I know that is not popular for some people - BUT it is one unselfish way to help mankind.

10. Smiling with our eyes has become a skill.

11. Likewise, giving the "stink eye" has become an art form!

12. People need to annunciate their words - it's hard to hear with a mask on

13. People can rise to any challenge that is put in front of them.  

14. We will get back to normal - sometime soon... I hope!

I think I could go on and on.  My most important takeaway from this past year is that I can adapt to anything, that I can stay true to who I am even in the face of chaos and I have raised children who can do the same.  I can't wait to see what this next year will bring us... but for now I will keep on keeping on!

The Blue Boxes

 "Billy, Lois... I have Mum's picture albums.  Do you have any interest in looking through them?" I asked on Friday evening.  Billy and Lois, my brother and sister in law had just arrived from Pennsylvania.  This is the first time that we have been together in over a year.  We had just finished one of our mom's old recipes, Slomgolean, and were feeling a bit nostalgic. 

"Sure!" Lois answered rather quickly.  Billy just sorta rolled his eyes and muttered a "whatever".  Boys are so weird, especially about pictures and strolling down memory lane.  We went about our night, chatting about all of the things that they have been doing since the "shutdown".  We marveled at how different each state was.  Lois commented that the further south they came the less they saw masks.  "Yeah, that seems to be the norm around here," I replied with a smirk and a shrug.  

Saturday morning arrived with nasty cold, windy, wet weather, so our planned walk was off.  We ate breakfast with an old familiarity that can only be found with family.  I just kept going back to the blue boxes in my storage closet in my mind.  I knew once we got them out we would all enjoy it.  So... I enlisted my husband to help me carry these two heather blue dusty boxes to the kitchen table.  "Here they are! Do you want to look through them before I have to start cooking?"  "Sure, Chris.  I am coming," Billy muttered.  Lois looked around for her reading glasses and eagerly approached the table.

We spent the next few minutes going through an album.  "Ooh, look at Mum!"  "Who is this guy?" "Any idea who this is?"  "Why is Mum wearing a uniform?" And on and on we went as we explored the album.  It was especially fun when we got to the bikini pics from my 8-month-old photos.  Every sister alive can imagine the ribbing I got from that one! "I need to cook.  Can we look through some more after dinner?" I asked.  "I guess" came the reply.

Dinner was finished, we were all stuffed from our steak, potato, and mushroom dinner.  We cleared the table and I made my way to the boxes.  I could feel my brother's glare from across the room... as if he was trying to will me away from the boxes.  Boys! Being the fantastic little sister that I am, I totally ignored him.  I have been ignoring his looks forever... why start paying attention now?

I slowly opened the lid on a new box.  This one had what seemed like a million newspaper clippings.  "Why are all these here?" I wondered.  "OOH Look... It's your wedding announcement!" and with my best theatrical voice I began to read.... "The bride wore Chantilly lace......" 

Finally Got it!

 Today was the beginning of getting back to normal... or at least I hope so!  My state finally made teachers eligible for the vaccine. We have been waiting patiently... ok not so patiently... to receive the vaccine. Today was the big day for me and many other teachers across the state.

I was very fortunate to find an appointment near me and on the first day.  I kept hitting refresh on the site until a slot opened up.  It was almost like back in the day when you would try and get concert tickets.  You know, how you would hit redial a bazillion times until you got through.  I was almost as excited about making the appointment as I was when I scored Garth Brooks tickets! Who would have thought that getting a vaccine appointment and the vaccine itself would elicit such happiness?!?

The entire process was pretty painless, in case you are wondering.  I signed in, filled out various forms, and answered the Pharmacist's questions. We were so busy talking that I didn't even realize that she gave me the shot!  It really didn't hurt at all.  Now, I will say that I could tell in the muscles of my arm pretty much right away.  They became pretty tight and stiff... almost like when you get a tetanus shot.  You have to wait for about 15 minutes after the shot to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction and then I was on my way.  That is the entire process!

I have been lucky so far!  I have some discomfort in my arm.  It is sore, tight but not overly painful.  Again for comparison's sake, it is like a tetanus shot.  I did a pretty calm workout this morning and will do a more rigorous workout this afternoon.  Hopefully, by then the stiffness will be gone!

So for those of you who haven't gotten it yet, and wanted a run down... there it is.  I am so happy to have made the first step towards getting back to normal.  

International Women's Day

 Today is International Women's Day... a day I didn't know existed until this morning!  I know our world has been shaped by many important women.  From early suffragists to current trailblazers, women have impacted society.  I think that the most important women in our lives - in my life - are the normal, ordinary women we meet every day.  We should celebrate those women... too.

I think back to the women who have made me who I am today, and there are quite a few women who have left their mark.  Some have made a positive impact and others... not so much.  I have been blessed to have such wonderful everyday, ordinary, hard-working women to celebrate.

My sweet mama was the biggest influence in my life.  To say that I miss her is a complete understatement... it's like saying you miss air when you can't breathe.  My mama showed me how to put others first, how to always see the best in situations, and how even when things are stacked against you, you keep pushing forward.  She showed me to be a mom, how to be a teacher and how to choose kindness.  I can only hope to be the kind of person... the kind of human she was.

My tough as nails grandma was the second biggest female influence in my life.  She showed me that women can be tough, yet soft.  She showed me to stand up for what I want and that is ok if some people don't like you.  She showed me how to cultivate friendship, how to eat chocolate with pleasure, and that butter in food makes it taste so yummy. My Grandma was an amazing lady!

Other people have helped me along the way.  My Auntie, my mom's sister, showed me that even through the loss of 2 children, your sister and your husband you can still smile.  She showed me how to love a sibling with all your heart, and how to find the fun in all things.  My sweet 21-year-old niece has shown me that even with the loss of her mother at a young age, goals are attainable and hard work pays off.  This girl is going places and I am honored to know her.  I can't wait to see what her future holds. Finally, my mother in law who recently has lost her daughter, her best friend and is battling cancer shows me that I can overcome anything.  That putting one foot in front of the over, doing what needs to be done, and finding laughter in dark times will make any situation easier. 

There are many others who I know or have known that have left their mark.  The women I work with every day prove that women can do anything.  I am so impressed with their collective effort to ensure that our students are receiving the best education that we can give them.  The resiliency, adaptability, and perseverance that my team of teachers has shown since last March is amazing!  What a great group of women.  I am impressed with the next generation of women... the young girls in my classes (currently and in prior years). They are kind, driven, hard-working, and can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. We are in for a real treat when they become adults!

Throughout the world, every day, there are great women stepping up to the plate.  They are working, caring for their families, giving all they have to everyone.  They are the heroes of International Women's Day! Kudos to all the ladies out there! 

This Time Last Year

 I saw a meme as I was scrolling mindlessly through Facebook that said, "This was our last normal week."  Wow! Little did we know this time last year, we would be embarking on the last normal week of the foreseeable future.  How could we have predicted that all of the normal things that we did, all of the whining we did about our problems, the plans that we made for the week or weekend.... would be the last time that we did?

That just blows my mind! This time last year, I was excited about slicing and school. I was making plans for the weekend, for Spring Break, and for Summer.  The most exciting plans were made for a family reunion at Cedar Point amusement park for June... the first time in at least a decade that we all could go. My slices were about my kids in school, and my kids at home.  At least they were at the beginning of the week! As the week progressed you could see and feel the change in my writing, my emotions, and what was going on in the world around us. Little did I know what was coming!

As a teacher, we talk about history and how problems shaped the landscape of our country or even our world.  To be living through that history is quite another story.  We have made history in the last year and continue to make it as we navigate our way through this pandemic.  It causes me to stop and ponder how we will be remembered?  How will the people of the US be written about in the history books?  Will the pictures and snippets of information reflect what really happened or will it be a sensationalized version?  

I know that in our last normal week, we took things like family, friends, social lives, and toilet paper for granted. I mean seriously I could never have imagined the pure joy you feel when the toilet paper came back into the store or when you spot Lysol wipes! It was, and is, like winning the lottery!!  I hope that we have learned the importance of family, of friends, of seeing people's faces, and the strength that we gather from those things.  I hope that as we embark on this next year of the pandemic, that we don't forget the lessons that we learned, the joy we felt over the simple things, that when there is a will there is a way.  I hope we take away a feeling that as a collective society we can face hard things but come out the other side with a resilience and empathy that hasn't been seen since war times.  That this pandemic can make us the next Greatest Generation. 

Saturday Mornings

 Saturday mornings are made for sleeping in.

 Saturday mornings are made for a quiet cup of coffee and mindless social media scrolling.  

Saturday mornings are made for extra-long workouts.  

Saturday mornings are made for long walks with friends. 

Saturday mornings are made for catching up on all your shows.  

Saturday mornings are made for whatever you need them to be. 

What is your Saturday morning made for?

It's Happening

 The day had finally arrived.. the much-anticipated arrival of the baby chicks.  I saw the small cracks the night before and the excitement had built to an overwhelming crescendo.  I took a bazillion pictures from different angles so that I could see if the eggs moved or if the cracks got bigger.  I made sure the nest camera was on, and I left for school.

The drive to school seemed like a hundred miles instead of the fourth of a mile drive that it was.  The blistering wind did not faze me as I rushed into the building to get the live feed going.  The smartboard seemed to take forever to turn on and then, of course, the school firewalls blocked me from logging into the app.  I  quickly realized I would have to use the link I sent the kids... I can't find the link... OH MY GOSH.. whew I found it.  I clicked the link and there they were.. the eggs.  Everything was the same.. no new cracks that I could see. Glad I didn't miss anything!

The kids started to arrive a little bit later.  They couldn't contain their excitement.  They had all been watching the live feed before they left for school.  "Mrs. Garrison.. one egg has a crack!" "Mrs. Garrison, did you see that the crack is bigger?" " Mrs. Garrison,  an egg has a crack!"  And on and on the kids went as they entered our classroom with overwhelming excitement, joy, and wonder.  They stood transfixed at their desks or moving as close to the smartboard as they could get. I knew right then and there that we were not going to get much done.

We paused the feed for the morning announcements but quickly pulled it back up when they were over.  The blue and green groups quickly changed classes and sat transfixed watching our chicks.  'Oh my gosh.... that one egg is really rocking!" "Look, that one has a bigger crack!"  By now, we could tell that one of our eggs was going to hatch quickly.  I ran next door to make sure my partner teacher was watching.  She quickly stopped working on math and drew their attention to the smartboard.  

The eight kids with me (the poor target kids were missing all the fun- although, I did share the links with their teacher) were jumping up and down.  Like literally jumping up and down on the black and white carpet.  Squeals of delight could be heard from both classes... the noise increasing as the chick pipped his way around the egg. "Ahhh - look at that..." " Look, it's really cracking"  "OOOH - it has the egg open"  "Ahhhh - I can see it..."

Finally, our first little baby hatched.  It was so exciting... how many people can say that they watched a chick hatch?  We can!! What a wonderful experience for my fourth graders.  Needless to say, we spent the rest of the day watching our new baby get his "sea legs" and dry off.  But wait... is that another crack? 

Company's Coming

 Life is starting to slowly return to normal. Or at least it feels as if it is on the cusp of some normalcy.  It has been almost a year since the world abruptly stopped for so many of us.... for some people it has been even longer.  I have been reading my blog posts from last year with my classes.  It has been so surreal to read... such raw emotions.  The kids had so many stories about their experiences, what they remembered and how life is different.  It is almost like all of us have PTSD - or a mild form of it.

I have noticed how things that we couldn't fathom happening or getting used to are normal to us now.  Sometimes, I don't remember that I have a mask on and will get in the car and be miles down the road before I realize it.  A year ago, I would have never expected that to happen.  It is automatic for me to put hand sanitizer on when I get in the car after shopping or school.  I have washed my hands or put on hand sanitizer so much in the last year!  Who would have thought that we would carry hand sanitizer or Chlorox wipes with us everywhere... but we do!

We have begun to create a new normal.  It is normal to wear a mask... it is even almost weird to see someone's entire face.  It is normal to keep a safe distance from everyone... we even create more space if we feel uncomfortable.  It is normal to eat more dinners at home, to shop online, and to have zoom happy hours.  We have chosen to rise above Covid, to create routines that help us to get what we need from life and survive.

But change is on the horizon.  The vaccine is helping and as more people get the vaccine, the quicker we can return to what once was... or a version of that.  I can see it in my own family.  My in-laws had both vaccines and immediately scheduled a trip to see us.  It has been here in over a year since they have traveled.  My brother and sister-in-law received both vaccines and are coming to visit this week.  I haven't seen them since December of 2019.  I am so excited to have this little bit of normalcy. 

The store shelves are stocked with paper towels and toilet paper.  Who would have ever thought how exciting that would be?! Lyson is getting easier to find.  People don't feel the need to hoard these items as they once did.   It's not much but it is a little bit of normal... and we all need it.