It's that time of year..

When my co-workers are overworked, unappreciated, underpaid, worrying about their jobs next year, worrying about their salaries next year, worried about cramming everything into their students heads that will be "tested" by the state.

With all this going on, tempers are short, words are glib, frustration mounts.

I feel all of those things, and ...

tired

frustrated

disrespected

over committed

like a failure

undervalued

tired

tired

oh yeah tired.

I will say this. The kids at work are saving me. Don't get me wrong...they can be a "test" to my character, but in these last couple (stressful) days they have kept my focus on what's important. Them.

Today I had two worried parents contact me in the morning before the kids arrived. One parent described her son's episode that morning as "he went on a rampage" and "went balistic" for no reason. I thank God that he then came to school and had a great day.

The second kids mom let me know that she had had surgery the day before and that her son had been and still was worried. He hadn't slept very well that night, only a couple hours. He too, had a great day. Little Miracles.

Did I mention I'm tired.