Week Forty-seven Thankful

Joy Chose You by Donna Ashworth

joy does not arrive with fanfare

on a red carpet strewn 

with the flowers of a perfect life

joy sneaks in

as you pour a cup of coffee

watching the sun

hit your favorite tree

just right

and you usher joy away

because you are not ready for her

your house is not as it should be

for such a distinguished guest

but joy, you see

cares nothing for your messy home

or your bank account

or your waistline

joy is supposed to slither through

the cracks of your imperfect life

that's how joy works

you cannot truly invite her

you can only be ready

when she appears

and hug her with meaning

because in this very moment

joy chose you

This guy came to help me clean for Thanksgiving while his mom went Christmas shopping.

A first grader I have always had concerns about, tearfully expressed how sad he was that he couldn't come to school for Thanksgiving. These babies continue to break my heart and sometimes ice cream after work helps. And at times, I use sarcasm to pull through the heaviness. I told Ty I was going to start being mean to him so he appreciates school more. He has so far laughed at every attempt. 

So my partner in crime at work is always sending kids to wish me a happy birthday when it isn't my birthday or have them ask me for candy I don't have. She is rotten. Last week, she told the assistant superintendent I wanted to sing with him for this year's school closing messages. He believed her and I couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Anyone who has heard me laugh (and this should be the entire school system at this point) should know I can't sing. My laughter is better than my singing voice and this should be terrifying. Anyway, she has kept this little charade going and is having a blast. What she doesn't know, I have started a plan for revenge. The same assistant superintendent is responsible for transportation and the bus system. He has an application from my co-worker citing her experience using police scanners to drive fast while avoiding the law and weather chasing experience she can use to catch children who don't want to go to school. I cannot wait for her to be approached about this. The fact both of those "skills" have a small level of truth to them makes this plan so much more hilarious.

Erin and Evans's house has needed some support with furniture assembly, closet installations and window treatments. It made for a busy but productive weekend. 

Today we cleaned up a bit, took naps and I floated in salt water. It was good. Austin called requesting leftovers, so we had company for a few moments too. So far, the long weekend has been a respite from the craziness of life.