Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Sleep was beginning to become elusive with each day, because of excitement, stress about getting everything done, and the mind wanting to do more that the body can keep up with. I woke up at 3:00 am and cranked up the heat because I love warmth when I’m getting around in the morning. Peeking outside, I saw that the thermometer was reading +8 degrees. Honduras would be a sweet remedy to that situation.
I put on my sweats, grabbed a bottle of water and headed out for my morning walk. I did my prayer while walking toward Berkshire Spring and, since the pond was frozen I walked home on the pond instead of the road. It was so peaceful and quiet and natural looking out there early in the morning. At home I shed my heavy, warm clothes and read from a devotional book. I’m reading the Sacred Romance by John Eldridge. This is the third book of his that I have gone through. He is focused on restoring relationship with our God, and I’m intrigued with his message.
I shower and throw a load of laundry in the washer, so I can dry them when I get home. Teaching a multigrade classroom has really helped me to multitask at home. I can now do the dishes, laundry, cook cupper, and clean house all at the same time. I hit the school parking lot at 7:40 am and begin to take in all the tasks I must do to start the school day, prepare for my absence, and welcome my students. I move all the musical instruments from the recreation room, where our open house was to the storage area in the costume room. Next, I prepare my morning worship story, visit with Tresa Young and Rachael, say good morning to the arriving students, and then lead the way upstairs for flag salute.
Mr. Bugbee was in North Adams preparing to be a radio celebrity, so I led the entire group for worship and 1st period classes to my classroom. The 7th and 8th grade worked on math assignments, while 6th graders tutored grades 1-4 through reading their workbook instructions. It was like the old days before we had a two-teacher program. Mr. Bates arrived around 8:50 am to do his volunteer time. It has been such a great help to Mark to have him assist with grading and tutoring. I asked him to tune in WMNB on the radio so we could listen to Mark’s interview. Mr. Bugbee sounded like a real pro as he fielded questions from the radio talk show host as well as call-ins. Berkshire Hills School was being featured as an alternative educational choice for Berkshire students.
The day went well and pretty routine. My brother Jim called from Seattle and wanted me to try and pick up a rain poncho and some medication for him. School was finally over and this was it. I had to turn my attention to all the final details. I graded all the papers, tabulated all missing work and laid out all the books and assignments for Wednesday through to the following Tuesday. I made up all the substitute teacher pay request forms and prepared mailing envelopes for Deena, Kim, and Sue, who were filling in during my absence. I hustled around straightening the classroom, checking e-mail, and then met with Mr. Bugbee on calendar dates and administrative needs.
I headed home to grab a bite to eat, which was a bagel and some really good papaya that Cynthia had sent home with me. The answering machine spouted out its messages and then I was headed off to Wal-Mart to get some more last minute items. It was snowing big heavy flakes for about 45 minutes—really pretty if it weren’t March. The shopping was completed and I stuffed the last items into small pockets in my carry-on bag. I took a warm shower, prayed and hit the sack at 10:45 pm. Again I closed my eyes with the thought that I must wake up by 3 or 3:30 am. My alarm wasn’t trustworthy so it was up to God, luck, or fate.