Sick day

For the record, I did not go to work today. I couldn't. I wasn't ready. I couldn't take 140 little voices and needs. My lesson plans weren't good, and I chickened out. I felt the weight and noise of the world on my shoulders. My mom once said, "they're your days, take them if you need them. " So I did need it, and I did take it. Is that too honest? Did I sleep late, drink coffee reading a book and gazing out the window at the birds and falling leaves? Did I catch up with my friends that I desperately miss? Did I shop? Or clean? Did I go to the dentist, get my oil changed or spend time with my kids? No. Alas, I was awake by 6:30 and went through the same motions. I showered, drank a cup of joe, took the boy to school, and came back home to start work. I graded and entered, I lesson planned and emailed and called. In fact, on my "sick day" I worked all day, and finally feel like I can breathe for a week or two. Three classes to plan for, getting home at 5, and 140 kids to love on, grade, and attend to and I started to sink. To drown. I literally sat at the kitchen for 6-7 hours doing school stuff. I really think I should do that once a month to just get caught up on the sheer amount of paperwork and planning that needs to be done. Or maybe teachers should just have a planning day once a month as part of their job. I could use it!