All I Need to Know

Tonight I decided I had to have one last conversation... I laid it all out. I explained where I was and how I'd arrived at that place and the paths that might have led me elsewhere. I decribed the process and made clear my perspective, backing up my assertions with concrete examples. I reminded him of offers made, actions forgiven and hopes that die last. I asked the questions that needed asking and received exactly the answers I expected to receive.

And in the midst of this conversation, while saying all the right things at all the right times, he opened his computer and checked his fantasy football scores.

That's really all I need to know.

I Admit It... I Was Wrong... once... :)

Dear Mrs. H,

I wasn't so sure about you at back to school night. I was thinkin' you weren't really warm and fuzzy enough to be a pre-school teacher, but I figured it was OK since your parapro is snuggly, and, once school started, and Exhibit C loved you from the get go, I thought perhaps you were one of those "great with the kids, not.so.much adults" types of teachers. That said, I sure was impressed by your teaching philosophy and methodology.

However, receiving an email from you that stated "I know you work a lot but I think Thursdays are your day off and I was wondering if you wanted to go to the pumpkin patch with the class..." and, further, offering to schedule the entire field trip around when I would be available was, perhaps, one of the most awesome things I've ever seen a teacher do in both my professional and personal/parental educational "careers".

Not only does it show that you are sensitive to working moms (given that I might just be the only one of those in the entire school this is particularly impressive), but also that you know your students' schedules and life patterns well enough to know not just the days I pick up my child myself, but also which one is actually my day off. This really speaks volumes about you as a teacher and, frankly, as a person.

I'm sorry I ever doubted your warm fuzziness. You clearly have it in spades.

Your Pal,
The Cranky Princess

What Makes Me Cranky Right Now Is...

... people who can't see beyond the selfish scope of their own experiences to realize that each and every one of us has made mistakes and that the best we can do is learn from them and try to do better in the future.

... individuals who delight in others' misfortunes rather than celebrating with them their happiness and successes, for this indicates that said individuals really aren't very happy with themselves, and that, to me, is simply sad.

... people who intentionally try to hurt others because they've been wronged in the past. This won't make them feel better, it will only make them wallow even more in their own woe-is-me-ness.

... individuals who suck the life out of friends and family members who must endure their constant complaints about the smallest inconveniences. It is the ability to keep moving forward, regardless of circumstance, that best reflects one's true character.

... people who are game players, for if you've got something to say, have the courage to say it straight up.

... individuals who are takers, not givers, because giving of our selves, our time, our emotions, our possessions is a far greater gift and reaches far further than does expecting to be the center of attention and attempting to define oneself through ego strokes or material possessions.

... people with negative energy who try to bring others down with them. No one who has ever inspired greatness has done so through negativity. Why, then, would anyone not aspire to building people up instead of tearing them down?

... individuals who haven't the conviction to stand up for what's good and right, who don't understand that fair does not mean equal, who feel slighted by the hand they're dealt and therefore fail to appreciate the many daily blessings bestowed upon them.