School has Advantages

I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I do remember the event. It was summer and we were visiting my grandparents. As usual, my cousin Laura and I walked the small distance to her other grandmother's house for a lunch visit. Her aunt was still living at home at the time. She was there when we ate lunch and then said, "Well, I need to get back to work." I said, "Work? But it's summer?" Her reply? "Lisa, honey, not everyone's a teacher. Most people have to work all summer."

In my dominated-by-teachers life, I had never considered that yes, most people did have to work all summer. My dad was a teacher, my friends' parents were mostly teachers, and my aunt and uncle were both teachers. Yes, they had work related things to do in the summer and taught summer school, but to actually work all summer? The thought had never occurred to me.

Summer Break
Spring Break
Christmas Break
Thanksgiving Break

Living in a school world definitely has its advantages. Advantages that I still enjoy to this day, although I do not get a full summer break. Libraries have to run, you know!

Another advantage of school? Grades. For some of us, being a student comes naturally. Not without effort, mind you, but effort that makes sense. School is where I'm a fish in the water. I know how to be a good student. I know how to write a paper and put together a presentation. I know how to take tests and study and prepare for class discussions.

And how to make A's. I like making A's.

I wish life gave out A's. This has been a hard week in several ways. Lots of time away from home due to work related responsibilities. Not enough money for the month. Trying to make plans for our kids for spring break without spending money we don't have. I found myself driving across town thinking, "I need to take a class so I can make an A." Life just doesn't have the immediate and tangible rewards that school has, does it? Sometimes things seem to be going well and then you get blindsided. It's very possible to pour your heart, mind, and soul into a person and not have it returned. You can do your absolute best and it's not good enough.

Yeah. I need an A. An A like the ones in sAlvAtion and grAce. AmAzing grAce. Atonement. PeAce. My favorite A doesn't have the letter, though. YawEH. Those are the A's that keep me going.