Today our Principal sent and email. I am used to administrators sending email after email ranging in topics from "stuff I don't care about" to "stuff that I absolutely need to (and rarely) do". Today, the email was a little different. Today's message had to do with our need to take time to make time for those people who are important to us. The story tells about a guy who realized that his life was passing by him as he worked hard to create his impression of a good one. This man estimated that the average male lives to about age 75. He mathematically figured how may Saturdays he had left until age 75 and then bought a jar to but that numbers in it. Every Saturday he took out a marble to signify that those days would never return. On the day that he took the last marble out, he determined that any day after would be extra. Looking back, he must have felt better knowing that he did what he could to be with those who matter to him.

I don't know why it hit me like it did, but I really spend a considerable amount of time this morning thinking about this and askingwhat is important in my life. In the last two weeks, I've been home before dark ONE NIGHT! I've tiptoed into my children's room more times than I care to admit to check on them sleeping lately rather than sitting with them to say bedtime prayers. I think of all the exciting school stories that I missed. How many discoveries have they made in my absence? A child's life is measured by the minute and today's latest and greatest thing is tomorrow's old news. If I am not there I miss it, plain and simple.

This weekend will be different. My traditional weekend trip up to the lake will still happen, but I will have two companions with me to share new adventures together. Talk about a story making it's intended mark! Now if I can only find a similarly spirited story about a wife who comes to terms with the senselessness of picking up wet towels in the bathroom!

Finding the right tree

Today, I had a better than normal trip into school so I have high hopes that today is going to go well. You see, my 10 mile trip to and from school is the time that I spend doing mental finishing touches on what I need and want to do for the day. I honestly don't know how people can reside so near their place of work! I suppose everyone finds their own personal "me time" but my driving time is perfect because I never have to worry about scheduling it in. My biggest fear about my driving time is the day when someone asks to car pool. Not that I don't enjoy the company of another person, but the last thing I need during my morning drive time is to listen to someone blathering about someone else's life whilst I work my rolodex of witty comments to find another trite reply.

"So, your wife's friend's dog is going to have to go on insulin. I bet that'll be hard for her." UUUUHHHHGGGGG.

Frankly speaking, my daily drive time is mine and I am not willing to give it up.

When I was in college, I had an education professor who told our class that everyone needs to find a place on their commute from work that they would use as a reference point. When approaching that point each day, turn your brain from the pains of the day to other important parts of your life. I found that tree during the first few weeks of my first year and it remains my reference point to this day. If that tree ever finds it's demise and I begin hauling mental baggage home, I don't know what kind of misery my family would be forced to endure. I try REAL hard to keep the negativity of my schedule on the west side of that tree for the betterment of all who live east of it.

It would be nice if more people could have a commute - or even a tree - to find as well. Honestly, the tree doesn't care.

Here we are in the world of blogging. I can't wait to write heated posts where I opine on deep political issues... or complain about my lack of hunting success. As long as a certain waddling english teacher from LHS disapproves of my rants, I know I am doing and saying the right thing!

Wish me luck!