What a year...

Today a student said to me, "Mrs. Geib - can you believe that we have 19.5 school days left and then that's it?"   

Ummmm.... what?!?!

As many of you know, I'm not a counter downer.   Not usually.    I knew it was close... but 19.5 days? 

This year has been so challenging.   Personally.   Professionally.    Even Spiritually.

This school year has been a true learning experience and the fact that I'm still standing is a miracle.
For starters, my baby girl started pre-school.    And with her starting pre-school and my son being in first grade paired with me having two autoimmune diseases... each child took turns being sick, either got sick, or acted as a vector to get me or Daddy sick.    We had the flu twice.   As a family.   Because you know... caring is sharing.   Nora herself has had two stomach bugs, hand foot and mouth, the flu, and some nasty cough thing.   

The bullying issues at my sons school is ****ing ridiculous.   (I bleeped, that's progress!)
So ridiculous, that I have another meeting for him tomorrow.

And let's not mention that in the fall I requested a full blown (and when I say "full" I mean FULL) evaluation to be done to find out that my son is a freaking autistic genius.    In February, we had his first ever IEP meeting.   I've been helping him navigate a confusing and cruel world and there have been so many questions where I really did not have answers for him other than to rely on God.  There have been so many instances where I felt like I was FAILING as a mother, but I've been reassured by others that I'm doing a damn good job.   Isn't it funny how sometimes the negative is easier to believe?

Professionally, I've been challenged with all sorts of things.  Students moving.  Students leaving.  New "stuff."    I've learned.   I've grown.   And my biggest blessing of this year is knowing and truly knowing that my building principal is a man of strong moral character and grace and having his encouragement and that of our two assistant principals is a true gift.   I don't know anyone outside of my district who can say that.   "The boys" as I sometimes lovingly refer to them as are a blessing to our school and especially our students. 

This week is teacher appreciation week.   

I have been reminded by my students in person and in writing as to why I teach.   I'm not going to lie, things are rough in my personal life.   Things are really, really, rough.   It's such a blessing to work in a place where it truly does feel like family.   At least to me. 

To start... my thyroid is far from where it should be.   So I'm in pain.   A lot of pain.  The kicker is I'm also allergic to the pain meds that they could give me and the other ones are way too strong for my liking.   I have to fight it myself.   I'm tired... all the time.  Like right now, it's 7:10pm and I'm blogging because I need to but also because it distracts me from the pain.   And this past week especially has been especially stressful (more on that later) but these kids... I don't have to fake smile with my students despite these crappy labs... my kids (biological and on my roster) inspire me.

For those who don't understand the world of post thyroid cancer.... the back up dancers of the thyroid gland are tired and on the bench.... and the thyroid itself is screwing up so bad that it's like a score of negative 122 on the score board.   My thyroid is over 120 points outside of the normal range.    Considering I only have 12% left of the gland, this has been painful.   

In addition to this, the thyroid has "stress responses" and this past weekend I received a very scary phone call.   My dad is in the ICU and he is in very rough shape.   It's really bad.   It's terrifying.   I've had conversations this past week that I just was not prepared for.   I've seen things that have just made me feel so helpless.   And I've learned that just like a daughter just needs her Dad.... sometimes a Dad just needs his daughter.    So despite the world of crap we are dealing with, I have made the choice to believe in miracles and my father has made the promise to fight.    That's all I'm willing to write about my Dad right now because I don't want to cry today.   However, if you pray -- send one or two good ones up for him. 

Soooooooo when I went to my mailbox to discover these letters... you can bet your butt I cried.  I cried because we all have our crap.   We all have something.   My students are tough.   They're often misunderstood by their peers.   They've got stories that could put the best authors to shame.   And like me, and like my father, they're fighters.   

It is an honor being their teacher.   For them to take time to write to ME just filled my heart with such joy.  I read them several times.   I saved them in my pictures file and my smile file. 

I mean... how did I get so lucky!?!?   


This one says, "I also love that I have your class in the afternoon because after a long day of stress I feel so refreshed when I walk into your class..."

And this young lady.... she's so strong and has so many talents that she tries to hide under a rough exterior.   I see her though.   I see her.   
"I am HAPPY to call you my teacher..."

"You always tell us good advice...." 

"I really appreciate you as my teacher."

Prayers!   She wrote prayers of thanksgiving to me!   #wow

"I want you to know to keep doing what you're doing... it works."

My students are a blessing.   This act of kindness means more to me than they'll ever know.   Unless they're cyber stalking my Twitter right now and reading this.   :P