Woe, woe, woe

Today's entry is about woes. I should point out that this is not really a complaint... it's just that woes were the only common thread I could come up with for today. 

Woe #1: Student woes

Lately, my poor students have been going through so much. Case in point: This morning. At the start of first hour, we say the Pledge of Allegiance and then observe a moment of silence. Last trimester, I didn't have a first hour class. This trimester, I do, and you would think 30 seconds of silence was FOR.EV.ER. for these kids. They shift uncomfortably or try to whisper or sometimes just all out talk until I remind them that this is supposed to be for silent time. This morning, one of my sweetest and smartest girls was turned around during silent time whispering to her friend. I shushed her. And then about four minutes later, I noticed her red-rimmed eyes and sad face where I usually see unbridled happiness and optimism. When we were going to the library halfway through class, I asked her and another student (who was also crying, but because of a boy issue) to hang back. I spoke to the first student and she left, and then turned my attention to my chatty Kathy. She openly and honestly told me about something very personal going on in her life, and it made my heart break for her. I should have let her talk during silent time. Naturally, because I am a total and complete sap, I teared up too, so here we are, both in my room facing one another, both on the verge of tears, while my other 24 angel babies accompany themselves alone to the library. But, sometimes there are more important things than shushing kids in the hallway. 

It breaks my heart to see my students hurting. I think it goes without saying that most teachers think of their students as their own children. When one of them hurts, I hurt too. 

Woe #2: Weather woes

I know this goes without saying, but it's winter, and winter sucks. Remarkably, I've been able to do almost all of my half marathon training to this point outside. The weather has turned on me, which is an annoyance. But a bigger annoyance is the way my joints are reacting to this change. 

See, that's the thing about arthritis. You're going along all happy and healthy and feeling good and then BAM! You wake up and various body parts hurt. Knees, hips, ankles, whatever. Today, I was straightening my hair and it literally hurt to grip the straightener in my hand. ANNOYING. I try really very hard to not complain about my arthritis, because I have it so, so good. And if I can be positive with joint pain, I'm pretty sure that's a good sign.

Woe #3

.... 

I guess there are only two woes to discuss today. Maybe there are less woes than I thought!