The Lost Month

June has a habit of slipping away from me, almost unnoticed.  I looked at the calendar today and was somewhat shocked to see it was the 29th and I hadn’t yet posted a blog.  It’s not for lack of topics–June lends itself to lots of introspection and reflection on the waning school year.  It’s more like June is the teacher version of the Groundhog predicting six more weeks of winter, and we all crawl back into our holes.  I lose time this time of year.

The month has been hectic:  the eighth grade whitewater rafting trip; eighth grade graduation; final report cards and conferences; hiring committee to replace our beloved P.E. teacher; a weeklong writing camp with 6th through 9th graders.  Couple the busy month with a respiratory infection that began June 9th (preceded by a week-long sore throat) that hasn’t yet left the proverbial building, and you have one tired teacher.

I’m not complaining.  I LOVE what I do…passionately.  I just wish I was a little more present in June, a little better able to transcend exhaustion and embrace relaxation.  As it is, relaxation doesn’t really begin until July, and then near the end of July the panic over the incoming school year begins and I start actively planning the new year.  Anyone who begrudges teachers summers off just hasn’t ever been here…and I invite you to walk a year in my shoes for perspective.  In the past I also taught summer school and ended up with an amazing two weeks to rejuvenate and prepare for the next school year; I’m not certain how I was able to do that unless it had something to do with the body’s ability to forgive when one is still in their 20’s.

I have a lot to say, and I’ll say it soon.  Maybe later today; maybe tomorrow.  I learned a ton and I miss my kids, but I’d be a much happier human being right now if I had a massage and a day at the beach.