Playing the Glad Game.
After a discussion about books that we read when we were younger, I placed a hold on Pollyanna. It had been many years since I had read the book and when my hold came to fruition, I excitedly started to listen. It has been quite eye opening to read as an adult. Pollyanna plays “The Glad Game” where she finds things to be glad about in every situation she is in. For instance, she is glad when her tiny, stuffy attic room in her Aunt Polly’s mansion with so many nice big rooms, has no looking glass so she will not be able to see her freckles that she loathes. She is glad when she misses dinner and has to eat bread and milk in the kitchen because then she gets to talk to Nancy, the house help. After reading the effect of gladness one can have in life, I have decided that I too shall play “The Glad Game.” I will try my best to recount things so far that I have found to be glad that I wouldn’t under different circumstances.
- While stuck behind a slow driver on the way to school, I got to look around at the beauty of the sun shining on the glittering white snow and the stately evergreens swaying gently in the breeze.
- I am glad for the rising temperatures. Thirty-six degrees feels so much warmer than below zero.
- Since mum and the littlest brother were ill, Father and other brother and I went out for supper. It was a good time and I am glad that I remain well and feeling healthy.
- I am glad for my struggling students because it gives me real life experience and teaches me to be patient.
- I am glad that the sun isn’t shining and it looks dismal outside because it makes it feel so cozy to be inside. And I am glad it is raining instead of snowing because then the roads are less dangerous to drive on.
As you can see, this simple game changes your outlook on life. Take something that seems unpleasant and find something in all that unpleasantness to be glad about!
The teachers at Rock of Ages made a short trip to Michigan to attend an in-service day. Essentially, it is to sit in on another teacher and observe how they teach. The five-ish hour drive up was highly enjoyable with a stop at Arby’s for supper and nonstop yapping about everything under the sun. We finally arrived and as three of us were staying elsewhere from the others, we were gifted the “Mexican Ride” as a mode of transportation. A series of unfortunate events occurred. The first being that I could not find the headlights. They were found quickly as it was hard to drive in the dark. When we arrived at our place of rest, I could not find the trunk button. After popping the hood, I found the correct button and we were able to unload our luggage. As I went to lock the car, I hit the panic button and the incessant beeping went on until I restarted the old guy and finally we were safely inside and away from my new nemesis. The Kidron teachers were coming in with a bang and a clatter! The in-service part of the weekend went well. It was very insightful to see how others teach and how other schools operate. When I walked into one classroom with a notebook, a little boy asked his teacher, “Is she going to write down everything we say?” The teacher responded, “Do you think she is going to fill it up with dinosaurs instead?” Later he informed the teacher that teachers do not have eyes in the back of their heads; they actually have three sixty vision! It also seems that short pencils and losing pencils is a universal problem. And why is it more tiring to sit in and watch someone teach instead of actually doing the teaching? Supper was a meal at a Mexican restaurant with some youth girls and then on to volleyball. It was quite fun to play some enthusiastic volleyball again after hockey season. Saturday morning dawned cool. We were up and to a coffee shop around 7:30 and made a stop at the Ann Arbor guest house on our way to Detroit. We arrived at the Underground Railroad experience around 11. We were grouped together and given a guide who helped us “escape to freedom.” The actors did an amazing job of making it all feel real and there was some screaming that ensued a man jumping out of the shadows. By the time all was said and done, we were feeling a bit famished. Chicken shawarma was rather delectable and the curly fries topped it off amazingly. We drove through the Heidelberg Project which is a street filled with random junk that calls itself art. It was near the abandoned buildings that used to be the booming automobile factories. It is rather sad to see all the wasted buildings that tell of an era gone by. Our last stop was to ride the People Mover which is aptly named as it is essentially a subway train in the sky. The views of the river and Canada across the way were immaculate. A stop in Greektown resulted in small boxes tied with string bearing some of the cutest pastries I’ve ever seen. All too soon it was time to head the three hours back to our home. A successful trip I should think.
Now back to normal life with its chaos and busyness. I was able to make the 50 minute trip to Homeworth for some volleyball and it was highly entertaining. They always seem to be having such a good time with themselves! The drive home can prove interesting if there is a wreck on the other side of the divided highway and if there are fewer cars about, you can make it home in under 50 minutes.
Teaching school really adds the funnies to life. The things that are said are just hilarious. Kids really say the craziest things.
Overheard in sixth grade spelling class:
“My dad went to Homeworth for election!”
“Is N’s dad going to be President?”
And a little food for thought, the space bar is bigger than the backspace for a reason. Sometimes you just need to take a minute to pause instead of undoing the progress you’ve made.