Friday

      I woke up looking forward to my Friday of teaching energetic sixth graders.  I contemplated the idea of Friday and realized the work week would be over at the end of my last class.  Motivating sixth graders to read for thirty minutes isn't as easy as you might think especially on a Friday.  Parents never realize that teachers give not just time and energy to teach their students, but teachers give some of themselves away everyday that they teach.  If it isn’t appreciated when you give some of yourself to others and it usually isn’t not really, it hurts and the result is burn out.  I don’t like having to talk to parents because so many times they are fussing because their child didn’t get the grade the parent wants or didn’t get to go to the bathroom right then.  It goes on and on.  When does the teacher refill? I feel empty today.
    One hundred and sixty-two students later it was time to head home to enjoy my break.  I will recuperate for the next week.  Friday night.  I log on to the computer hoping to chat with friends, and of course, they are all out having fun.  It is Friday night.  God, I dread Friday nights. 
    You see, once I leave my classroom on Fridays I try desperately not to let the tears fall at least until I reach my car.  My boyfriend, my soul mate, the one I finally am not afraid to be with isn’t here.  He has gone on deployment no, not to the war zone, but just to another state hundreds of miles away.  No, it isn't as bad as it could be, but I am experiencing my children being grown or almost grown.  My new large four bedroom house is empty except for me, and my dog.  I got the dog to help with the loneliness, but she doesn't, not really.  Not the dog’s fault since she is a small Pomeranian and is constantly happy and energetic 
    So, the TV is on for the noise and company.  I should make a phone call to hear my boyfriend’s voice, but it won’t last long enough.  I’ll be alone again when the call is over, but he will make me smile a little.  I feel selfish, since he is the one serving our country and away from home.  But, I won’t tell him how I feel so that will help some.  I’ll be cheery and talk about stupid stuff.  Maybe, hearing his voice will cure my melancholy.  I don’t know.  Anyway, I should call to let him know how much I’m thinking of him.  Fridays aren’t all that. Hummm, sometimes the weekends are just too long. 
      I called.  No answer.  Maybe, he will call back.  My mind wonders, and I must conquer the foolish fears plaguing my mind.  I constantly have to reprogram my brain to stop thinking I might loose him to someone else.  He is a good man.