I've been on Spring Break this week, my favorite of all vacations. I've been "out of the country," or so a former teacher friend of mine would say. She never actually left home, but in essence she let us all know that she wouldn't be available.
Spring Break is a time of rejuvenation, and for me, that means no schedule. I know lots of people love to fill their calendars with social events. They get excited about the activities that they see before them. I, on the other hand, love a blank calendar. I want time to "piddle", to act on a whim, to daydream. And so I've piddled.
I figured out how to load pictures onto a picture frame I received as a gift. OK, I didn't piddle, I whiled away hours. Each picture took me somewhere. I visited almost all of my dearest friends and relatives. I thanked God for all the people and experiences He has placed in my life. I thought about the children I teach, spent time with each one individually, thought about their talents, and imagined where their lives would lead them.
And I ironed. Yes, I'm one of those people. I married an ironer, and we proudly passed the skill on to our son. The thing about ironing is, it's a mindless task. Can you see where I'm going? You can do it and go places. I made a return trip to Paris, strolled the streets of my childhood recalling who lived in each house,
remembered Vacation Bible School and the Strawberry Man. I pictured the flowers I would plant once the threat of frost passes. And, I have a closet full of clean clothes.
My "return flight" arrives back in town on Sunday evening. My alarm will ring again on Monday morning. I'll greet my students at the door. We'll cover all the required lessons and move according to schedule. I'll prepare dinner . . . OK, we'll grab a bite somewhere, I'll grade papers, we'll watch a little TV, and I'll to it all again the next day. And it's OK, because . . . I've been out of the country.
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