How we mark time.

Monday my niece Maggie started college. My niece Jessica started first grade. Tomorrow I start the first of five more classes to finish my Masters. I finished my Masters once already. Took all the classes, completed my thesis-I was on the President's List, a member of Phi Kappa Phi - did everything I was told to do - only problem was I wasn't told about a piece of paper that needed filling out before I started. Two years I spent the time and money only to be told; "Whoops, sorry you can't have the piece of paper." I sure hope this time I don't get a "Whoops sorry." Then I would just throw my hands in the air or perhaps pull out my hair. As children I believe we marked our time by the school year. From September until June we looked toward summer vacation - then we spent the entire vacation counting down the days until school started again. I reckon our parents did the same thing. Parents are jumping for joy because school is starting, teachers - well, we are jumping but probably with a little less joy. Having your first born go off to college that is a milestone - or your baby off to first grade. We mark time by birthdays - I'll be 47 this week! (When does that as you get older you need less sleep thing kick in?) We mark our time through the years of service we give to our jobs - leading up to retirement; then what is left. Aunt Bertha marked her time waiting to die. What a waste! I suppose people mark their time by deadlines for work, family commitment's, or maybe some people don't mark their time at all. Seldom do I put up a calendar. Those days will come whether I have them posted on the wall - other people cross off each day as it finishes - another one down. I don't make my bed because I figure I am going to get back in it, why take the time to make it. Of course it helps that I sleep in one position, when I sleep, I don't toss and turn - the bed hardly looks slept in. I will admit to some time glancing, wondering when I can retire - or move out of the classroom into an easier paper pushing desk job. This year is my 27th year of teaching special education. That time is well marked. I have the scars, both physical and emotional. Teaching is a young person's game. Only young people don't want to be teachers. It is hard work. Many scoff at the notion of teaching being hard work. They should spend a few days teaching. Anyone want to come to teach my class for a week? When school starts time marking becomes vacations - Thanksgiving is the first big one, then three weeks later is Christmas. I do love Christmas. People seem nicer around Christmas. After Christmas we countdown to spring break. Then we countdown to the CST. California Standardized Tests. Actually, from the first days of school we start that countdown. Test scores have become the barometer for which a school and a teacher are judged. Better get your test scores up or else. Shoot I teach children who could not bubble in their own name, test scores are not high on my priority list. I teach the curriculum as they give it to me. I present the material a dozen different ways - some sticks, some doesn't - but it is not because the student's are not trying - I had to stop writing because Zuko Manuko The Flying Chaweewee had a seizure; he has seizures so we know his life span is shorter than it should be - another marking of time. Sonny Kitty passed away a few weeks back; our pets become such a part of us - I've got to go - tears are making it hard to type. Just don't mark your time waiting for your time to end -