It was shocking when it happened for the first time in over a decade last month. Shocking news again yesterday, but today when I heard Shorewood Schools were closed, I just shook my head. Now what have they done? Things aren’t supposed to change that fast. The policy we’ve all become comfortable with was set in stone, just the way we like it. Shorewood never has snow days. Leave earlier and step higher. Too cold? Bring a sweater and wear woolies.
Sitting here at home with my legs wrapped around the space heater I certainly agree with the decision to close schools. It just threw me.
I like days off as much as the next person, but what starts out as sheer joy at first, turns on the conscientious worker after serendipity leaves the room. Guilt becomes the 2AM cop, banging at the door of your Superbowl party. Each unproductive hour that passes just emboldens the albatross already living on your shoulder. You really ought to get off the couch and get some housework done. You’ve been needing to fold clothes for a week. You really should do some schoolwork. Maybe you should even make your way over to school and work in the classroom so you’re not feeling overwhelmed when the kids come back. After all, time is the lover all teachers long for. It’s what we obsess about and complain for lack of. It’s tempting…
But not to worry, fellow teachers. There will be more days like this. There will be thunder and hailstorms in Spring, extreme dark in Fall and blazing heat as we move in on summer. I hope when we are rounding our classroom temperatures off to 100 come June and September, we’ll be able to take solace in the knowledge that weather extremes will not be ignored.
I love winter.
