June

For me, June brings lots of things....the end of a school year, report cards, wrap up activities of all kinds and inevitably, a cold. Yes, I'm home on a sick day, armed with kleenex and sudafed. Mike reminded me that it happens almost every June. I hate being sick. I hate the congestion, the headache, the sore throat, the chills. I almost went to school this morning too, until at 7 am I decided I would be crazy to go. It's almost easier to go in sick when you're a teacher. That's why I laugh if people think teachers abuse their sick days! First of all, we have to call a TOC through an automated system which is complex when you're in the best of health...pressing pound keys and star keys, listening to the options, remembering your pin code and your absent code...yikes! Then I realized I had my marking and an important notice at home that I had drafted last night. So I got in my car, raced over to school, put up some boardwork, made sure my daybook was organized, made some copies and left notes for some colleagues.... by this time I'm feeling really sick! I got home, collapsed on the couch and was thankful the girls were playing quiety. Fortunately, daycare is arranged on Tuesdays, so I have had most of the day to myself. Anyway, I'm still feeling rotten, but I'm hoping that a good rest tonight and some more medication will do the trick. I'm really hungry but when I have no sense of smell or taste, NOTHING looks appealing. So, I'll continue to drink tea....maybe I'll have some toast too. Maddie has a wicked cough at night so I hope she's OK. I hardly ever take my kids to the dr. anymore. It's such a hassle to get in to see her that I usually take the wait and see approach. She's had this cough before and it has gone away within a few days. It's just that I've heard of a few cases of pneumonia in the past week, so I'm wondering when a cough turns into something more serious. She's healthy otherwise so I'm thinking she's fine. I think she'd have a fever if her body was fighting something. I remember my doctor telling me that kids' coughs last longer than ours typically.

My Chelsea went to her kindergarten orientation. She, like her sister, went off with the teacher without a backwards glance! I felt some sadness at that. C'mon Chels....be clingy....run to me and cry that you don't want to go....cause that's how I'm feeling! I had this urge to run and grab her from the line....not yet, don't take my baby yet. But I didn't. I stood with the other parents, pushed back my tears and made a frivolous comment to keep my emotions in check. She had a wonderful time, of course and despite all my selfish emotion, I'm so happy she's confident to move on. That's what raising kids is all about....letting go a little at a time, preparing them for the next step and stage in life.

Anyway, that's what June is all about for me this year.....letting go a little, finishing "the race" at school and fighting this annual cold!