Happy New Year!

I'm trying to time this to the minute.

Have a Happy New Year!

Even though it says 11:55 Dick Clark was proclaiming Happy New Year when I hit the publish button.
Of course I could just set the time and fake it, but nooo.
My New Year's story is funny.
I went to school today to feed the fish, change the filters and pick up the staple gun.
We got there and thank goodness my daughter Sylvia went along.
I left my room keys on the lanyard I wear on the table, so it wouldn't get wet as I poured water in the tank-then without remembering I went out my door. I've never done this before. STUCK in the quad, no way to get back in my room, no way to unlock the chains on doors or front glass doors. No one there. No way to jump the ten foot high fences.
So...I of course panicked.
I picked really awful things to think about happening to us, and it was cold.
I really don't know why it got to me.
Really panicked.

Sylvia however kept her head.

Now I've faced broken arms at school, throwing up, lots of things that you might be surprised to hear. Things I did pretty well handling. Compound fractures...did okay, police actions, FBI tape and the bomb squads and helicopters overhead....
But this, no, it was cold, darkness was an hour away.
I think it was because we were alone.
So Sylvia thank goodness had her phone.
Yes.
While I sat there really useless she just called her Dad.

Somehow he called Mr. Ron who had once worked for him when he was in the District, then Reggie our head of maintenance. And my friend Heidi.
In minutes he said Reggie was coming to let me in.
In ten minutes he did.
White knight stuff.

And it took three hours for me get down from what the adrenaline did, man.

It's pretty great I work in a place that will rescue you. That is still about community. That has heart like it does have. I am starting the year with this thought. Thinking this is going to set the tone for the year, not the panic but the support system.
I didn't have to break a glass out or think of how to jump a ten foot fence or whatever. I was stumped but I know I'll never go in there again without wearing my key, holding my phone and being sure others are there too.

What a way to end a decade and start another.


I am however taking this as a little omen. Or a note to self, the fear was real for me today. I did something, made a mistake, and it took a bit to fix it and get safe. It just took problem solving. But that we knew who to call, got help, that others came to help without question, instantly, talked to me of the kind of people I work with, the kind of heart they have. It reminded me when my daughter stood by me of times I solved things for her, because she once went to this school too-it's a part of her- or spoke to me of when she was with me over the years doing my job. My life as a teacher. It kind of amazed me when I went to leave that Reggie got the gate, locked the fencing thing up for me. It reminded me of community really, what schools symbolize.
What I do.
Maybe it's a subtle shift, or a small thing, but I surely felt a rescue when I needed one.
And help when I needed it.