Dear Teacher with a Holiday Hangover,
By referencing a holiday hangover, I do not mean an abundance of alcohol consumption. Although after this year, who could blame a teacher?
I am talking about the sluggish pull of quicksand sucking you back into the warm covers after you've hit the snooze button six times. I am talking about the pie you ate for breakfast that reminds you it's time to throw out the crusty Thanksgiving leftovers. I am talking about the lonely sweatpants you betrayed as you darted out the door in real clothes. Mostly, I am talking about forgetting your computer password and how to teach, take attendance, or spell as soon as you walk in your classroom. How does that happen over a short ten day period?
A lot has happened in 10 days. Heck, a lot has happened in four days. For instance, Thanksgiving Day it was 82 degrees and humid. Florida is finicky in this way. People from other states don't know the joy of a sweaty, thankful shirt stuck to the arch of your back after consuming an assortment of 27 pies and 32 side dishes. And let's be honest, nothing spreads Yuletide cheer quite like children who smell like a pack of wet dogs after an intense game of yard ball. This little tradition also makes for a lovely photograph with grandma whose hair rivals Mufasa in terms of poof appeal. After countless camera takes and excessive filtering, everyone looks like they've had a moose cup full of spiked eggnog.
It's okay though. This is Thanksgiving 2020. Nobody wants to remember it anyway.
Today it's back to work, and it's 27 degrees- you know, a mere 54 degree temperature drop in two days. It's like the universe knew we would have to put on real pants, and said, "Watch this...let's crank the temps down super low and laugh as we watch them scramble to find warm clothes and close-toed shoes."
Typical 2020.
Where was Holly Jolly Burl Ives and cooler temps when we needed them on Thanksgiving?
Still, we won't complain because every Floridian knows there are only eleven days of winter in the Panhandle. We also know the cooler temps are God's provision to hide the extra holiday pounds. We will only get to wear bulky sweaters three times this year, so use your boot days wisely, ladies.
Maybe your monogrammed boot socks aren't the only thing sagging today. Getting back in the swing of things may have you feeling like you've been run over by Santa's sleigh, but hang tight. In three short weeks, (technically two weeks and four days) you will get another break, a longer break.
So for now, grab a cup of hot cocoa while you can, crank up the Burl Ives, and admire the flickering lights from your tree.
Embrace the cooler weather and holiday cheer. We all need it after this dreadful year.
Also, write down those computer passwords and make note of where you wrote them.
Otherwise, come January you'll be the Yuletide fool ranting, "I know I wrote down my stupid passwords. Where did I write them?"
-CDB