Today at Ocean State Job Lot, at opening hour, 9am, the inside of the store, with it’s painted cement floors (painted gray.  why bother?) and dusty smell, was surprisingly busy.  People were not milling about.  They were determinedly shopping – and I will not pretend to know why.  No smiley ‘good mornings” to be shared, no kindly moving of the cart to make space for another; just business, baby.  Business.

I was there to get school supplies.  This year, OCJL is giving a 30% discount to educators.  The announcement could be heard on the overhead every five minutes: we all know that educators spend a lot of their own money on supplies for their classroom.  If you are a teacher and would like to hear details of our summer offer, ask a friendly clerk for assistance.  Over.  And over.  Again.

Ah, but I was ready.  I already knew about the sale, waited until the day it started (then promptly missed that date and went today instead), having printed a pay stub and brought along my MEA membership card that both show who I am.  I could pass for a hobo sometimes the way I dress in the summer, I’m not gonna lie.  I thought I’d better cover my bases, lest anyone think I was a homeless woman in need of a serious amount of white lined paper.

I found many things that I needed and by the time I had perused the entire store, had a cart full of useful teachery things.  I also had a few things for home, to be dealt with in a separate transaction.  Little tip for ya:  OCJL is a great place to get toothbrushes.  Good ones.  Cheap.

Anyway.  I am quite an intuitive person and I am always conscious of holding up other shoppers when I have a big ol’ bunch o’ stuff to buy.  I went to a line where I myself had to wait first.  It seemed only fair.

When it was my turn, I explained to the clerk that I am a teacher, showed her my proof, yadda yadda.  She had not yet rung in such a discount, so asked for help.  Two, now, clerks helped me to gather my things, organize them to fit inside themselves for easy carrying and chatted away as we packed.  Inevitably, another shopper came to that line, behind me.  She seemed to be waiting patiently.  I didn’t notice, in my highly intuitive state, that she was peeved in any way…but the first clerk felt the need to explain.

“She’s a teacher!” she yelled.  And I am not being dramatic.   I jumped a little, and looked around for whom she might be speaking.  “A TEACHER!”

I looked up at her.  I realized it was me.  She was absolutely, 100% delighted with me.  Grinned like I was a celebrity.

I was very confused.

Several people in other lines turned to look at me, still dressed, you should know, for the run I went on this morning, unshowered, ratty t-shirt, sweat head…the works.

And then.

A woman two lines over hollered “Thank you!” and started clapping, “thank you so much!”

“Yes, thank you so much!” said the first clerk, then the other clerk, as more and more people clapped and cheered, whistled and woo-hoo’ed.  In the middle of Ocean State Job Lot.   For being a teacher.

I did what any highly respectable public school educator would have done, in my “Ta-Ta Trot” t-shirt and semi-reflective running shorts.  I bowed to those people, like a queen to her subjects.  And didn’t let a tear fall until I was in my car.

…and I am addicted to caffeine.  In the form of coffee. Iced.

As we speak, I am just a little bit shakyohmygodjusthowmuchcoffeedididrinkthismorning? And I’m supposed to be reading the play “The Diary of Anne Frank” with 8th graders on the 9th to last day of school and ohmygodsquirrel.

So.  How’s your day?

It’s been a week full of lowlights – events that are cause for reflection, silence and sorrow.  Next to these serious situations, the highlights are dim.  But I still search for them, as a daisy reaches for the sun through a crack in the sidewalk.

Though none of these events happened to me, exactly, they happened to people I love and share life with, and so…they happened to me, too.  They give me a chance to reach out in kindness and to remember how lucky I am.

1.  Last weekend, a good friend’s daughter, while skiing at Sugarloaf, lost track of her friend.  Said friend had gone off the trail and crashed into a tree.  She is in a coma in Bangor.  She is 10 years old.

Life can be turned upside down at any moment.

2.  On Tuesday afternoon, one of my students lost his home in a huge, all-consuming fire.  He returned to school, as normal, on Wednesday, and chose to hang out in my room for most of his day.  I would like to think our little school community brought him comfort and normalcy.

All family members, including animals, are perfectly fine.  Go silver lining!

3.  Last Monday, almost two weeks ago, the wonderful Ed. Tech. who works in my room 2/3 of each day went with her husband to Portland where he was scheduled for a pretty routine surgery.  She has not returned because there are complications.  Last I knew their children were on their way to be with him.

4.  Was officially observed for the second time this school year.  Though it went exceedingly well, from my perspective, I anxiously await my written evaluation.

5.  I am kicking serious arse in the Hamlin bracket war for March Madness.  Guy is incredulous and jokingly dismissive, claiming that only the final game now counts. Truth is:  even random selections have just as much chance of winning this thing.  You just never know how a game will go.  As it is with life.

6.  Got a haircut.  Went summer short.  I’m considering throwing all caution to the wind and letting myself go gray.  Soon.  But not today.

7.  Baseball season began.  Yes, the kids have to play in the gym due to snow on the fields.  But I’m excited.  Baseball means warm weather and fun.  This season is one of my favorites!

8.  Only two weeks until spring break.  Guy and Garrett will be traveling back to Korea to visit students and friends.  I, at home in Belfast, plan to do more than my fair share of ass sitting.

9.  It didn’t snow.  We’re almost into complete safety no-snow zone (though I remember that not-so-funny huge April 1st storm a few years back.  Therefore,  I do not quite trust Mother Nature.)

10.  Though generally under a blanket of wet sadness this week, life continues.  I am grateful for a healthy, happy family, a warm, cozy bed and home, a job I love and people who make the entire ride worthwhile, all the hard stuff notwithstanding.