Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Worst 20 Minutes
Today I experienced the worst 20 minutes I've had in a very long time.
This morning I was at one of my private schools and my colleague from my main public school called and told me the principal wanted me to "come over here right away." I asked if she knew what he wanted and she answered with a short, "No." I scurried to get my coat and leave.
And on the 20 minute drive to my main school, all I could do was speculate on why my principal would summon me. I knew it couldn't be for a student's medical need because my staff nurse was there. All I could imagine was that there was some awful parent complaint or that I made some grave error in judgment.
Lest you think I am insanely paranoid, I should tell you what happened in our family 19 years ago. My husband was suspended from his teaching job (in the district where I also work) because of false accusations from students who were failing his class. He was eventually cleared of all charges after a one-year legal battle.
I lost my innocence through that experience and I learned that a normal day can turn very bad, even when you've done nothing wrong.
So as I drove this morning I imagined parent accusations. I imagined that maybe someone had complained about our Operation Christmas Child stuffed animal collection. I imagined that I was being reprimanded for sharing with another colleague something very stupid that a parent said in a meeting.
I put in my Matt Redman CD and listened to "Never once did we ever walk alone..." over and over as I prayed.
By the time I got to school I was a wreck. I rushed into the building and the school secretary said, "They need you in the library." The library?
I rounded the corner into the library where a faculty meeting was in progress. I still waited for the other shoe to drop. When would I learn of the crisis?
I sat down and the principal announced that they were honoring me with a cake because of an award I am receiving.
Really? I'm too old for this.
I started to cry because I'd just endured the worst 20 minutes I've had in a very long time.
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Sorry you had that 20 minutes, Kathy. And I'm proud that you got that award.
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