For those of you who didn't realize, I have had a banner two weeks here in NC.
Last week, Logan was hospitalized with croup for two separate nights. That's right, he went to the hospital Sunday night, seemed better, went home Monday, and was readmitted Wednesday! Then yesterday, I got a text at 2 am informing me of my grandmother's death. She had been sick for a while and hospitalized over the weekend. We were expecting her passing and she was ready to rejoin Pop Pop in heaven, but it's always painful to lose someone that close. To top it off, Logan has surgery to put tubes in his ears this morning, we are leaving in 30 - 45 minutes. It's been a busy fortnight.
It's times like these that I wish that I had a REAL job. Most people can take off for major events like these rather easily. The work will be done by someone else or it will be there when they get back the next day. Such is not the life of a teacher. I missed 2 full days and 2 half days for Logan's croup/hospitalizations last week and I am missing 1 today for his ear-tube surgery. Because of this, I can't afford to take off another day to drive the 10 hours for my grandmother's funeral.
It's not neccessarily the money that makes me unable to afford the trip, it's the intangible 'damage' that will be done to the progression of my lessons. When I am absent, I have 86 kids to think about. What will they do when I am gone? Will they behave? What work can I give that will keep them on track for when I return? I know that some of my students appreciate me now, and some will appreciate me later, but few realize how much I agonize to be away from them and put a halt to their learning.
In truth, I could probably make it to the funeral if I drove through the night without really stopping and got only a couple hours of sleep, but my father, Aunt Debi, and mom have convinced me that Grandma would not want me to jeopardize my son who has just had outpatient surgery and my unborn child to attend a ceremony for her body. She would tell me that it's not really her in there and that I can say goodbye from anywhere now.
So, goodbye Grandma! I love you. Have fun with Pop Pop. Eat a steak, have some cake, and just enjoy being with him again. I will do my best to pass on the values you taught us to my kids, both natural and adopted (students)
