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.