I’d Rather Be
Someone I don’t know that well: “So what do you do?”
Me: “I’m a teacher. It’s really awesome. It keeps me young, you know?”
Same someone: “Oh, that’s cool. You get your summers off and a lot of breaks in-between too.”
Me: “Yeah, that’s true. But, to be honest, I’d rather be [blank].”
I mean, yes, I like eating cold chicken at noon but I’d rather be at Popeyes on a Friday evening with kids.
And, yes, I like going for runs but I’d rather be running mile repeats with the Spring Running Club at West Side Park.
And, yes, I like reading Jesmyn Ward novels but I’d rather be reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with kids.
And, yes, I like discussing philosophy and politics but I’d rather be discussing different ways to solve a complex math question with kids.
And, yes, I like sleeping-in but I’d rather be staying up late at a Lock-In or a dance.
And, yes, I like cooking dinner but I’d rather be eating pasta and cookies with our Running Warriors crew before a 10k race the next day.
And, yes, I like watching movies but I’d rather be watching Blank Panther or Wonder with kids at CityPlex 12.
And, yes, I like (love, actually) seeing my family but Rhode Island isn’t home anymore.
(New Jersey is.)
And I never would have predicted it when I was younger but there’s something about seeing 108 smiling, excited, badass kids at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow morning that feels right.
And I’m not saying that everyone feels this way. Or has to feel this way. Or wants to feel this way.
Or that I don’t appreciate breaks (because I do).
But if you know what I mean about the joy of teaching — enjoy your day back.
There are a limited number of beautiful tomorrows.
