This week I’m thankful for…

• days when I’m organized enough to leave school shortly after my students
• when the mailbox has something good in it like a magazine or a package
• the Northern California Writing Project and the opportunities they give me to learn and collaborate with my colleagues
• nights when I don’t dream about school and the well-rested mornings that follow
• Q Tips.  I don’t care that they’re not intended for my ears or that in putting them in my ears I may somehow puncture my brain.  I love the feeling of cleaning out my ears.
• getting all four of the hotel pillows to myself
• television finales and the return of summer shows
• my husband, who attended our class musical dress rehearsal and said lovely things about my children
• the looks on the faces of my little ones as they performed our class musical for their loved ones
• teachers being moved to first grade this year who are comfortable enough in their own skin to ask for help
• the opportunity to share what I love with other teachers
• wearing my flannel pajamas, slippers and winter robe in May