Sunday, June 16, 2019

On Summer Break

I'm taking a break from posting on this blog for the summer. The end of this semester found me closer to burnout than I've ever felt before. I have GOT to find a way to make it fresh for myself again. But if a change is as good as a rest, an actual rest is even better, and I welcome this one.
a watercolour by Dottie Morrissey, my mother
On teacher-student conference day, I received a bit of a boost to my tired soul. Several students in my morning (seniors) class expressed appreciation for my teaching style, my patience and kindness, and the topics we were able to explore in depth. I had though that my module on diagnostic imaging had dragged on too long and that it had, in the end, been too dry and too difficult. But several students said they are glad I did not abandon it when some students could be heard moaning toward the end (okay, actually just one student who is given to audible yawns except on days when she gets her way) because they felt that by the end of the enormous module, they had reaped many benefits in the form of stronger communication skills and retention of key vocabulary. One man said he is so glad that he can now read any requisition form. ***BOOST***

One student said she found the courage to go to a medical appointment by herself for the first time since her arrival in Canada many years ago. She felt confident explaining her symptoms to the doctor and understood much of what was said to her. ***BOOST***

Even though I was feeling like a failure because I had not managed my usual morning smile or pep in my step during the last weeks, several students gushed about my pleasant nature and how I always greet them with a smile. One woman, alone with me for the meeting and the door shut for privacy, grasped my two hands and broke down in tears because she's getting her citizenship and won't be back in our class this September. Our class had been there for her when her husband died. Joining our class saved her from being alone all day in her apartment with her overwhelming grief. ***BOOST***

This sort of feedback helps, but I am still desperately in need of rest. We pour our hearts and souls into this work, but self-care needs to come first.

This summer I am cutting way back on the things I usually do so that I can concentrate on two things that have taken higher priority. One of those priorities is spending time with my mom, who will turn 89 at the end of this year. She is far more active than I am with neighbours who drop in for her hospitality once a week, artists with whom she generously shares her outdoor art pavilion, and shows in which she enters her work. She is my best friend, my soul mate. I cannot fathom life on this planet without her, but I know that even with the longevity that runs in the family, every moment counts these days. We have two visits planned this summer; first I'll go to her and then she'll come to me.

The second priority is a project that should result in a new resource that could be used across Canada as well as in public schools--if I can pull it off!

How about you? Are you working or off this summer? Will you have a chance to rest and recharge at all?

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for always generously giving of your psychic energy; for responsibly providing this safe space; sharing your teacher insights and resources; exemplifying what it means to be a caring colleague.
    May the stars always shine on your path and bless you wherever you go.
    Claudie
    (And ditto for your mom - such a wonderful artist. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!).

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  2. Kelly, my mom was everything to me, too. Sadly she’s gone now. I miss her desperately. I’m glad you’re making it a priority to spend time with your mom this summer. Is there somewhere I can see her art?

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    1. Hi, Anonymous 8:45 PM,
      No, I'm afraid Mom doesn't have a website. I set her up once with a Wordpress blog but she didn't know how to maintain it and eventually took it down. Perhaps I will do a FB post with some photos of her work.

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    2. That would be terrific! I’d love to see her work.

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    3. Okay, I made this post public on my personal FB page. Can you see it? https://www.facebook.com/kelly.morrissey.9231/posts/10156553361302060

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    4. Yes!!! Your mom is super talented! Her work is a feast for the eyes! Thanks for sharing it Kelly.

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    5. Aw, thanks. I'll tell her that an anonymous blog commenter said so. ;) KM

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  3. I have a little tear in my eye from reading your end of year post. That was before I got to the part about your mom! You will think of your mother all the time, forever. My mother would have turned 88 this month, but had health issues that took her earlier than her 4 siblings. I hope you have a restorative summer! Thanks for all the sharing and caring you've done digitally too.

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  4. Have fun with your Mom Kelly - beautiful paintings btw. Seems apples don't fall far from the tree re: creativity. Thanks for the opportunity to rant and vent (i've posted a few here... helped to keep my sanity knowing I'm not the only one hating on PBLA). I too will be spending as much time as I can with my mid 80s parents and other close, neglected of late, family members and connecting with old friends (camping, sailing, cabin in the mountains and lots of mountain biking!) . take good care and have a great summer. Maybe PBLA will disappear while we're on vacation and our working lives will be good again come September!

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    1. Wouldn't that be something? Enjoy reconnecting and renewing. KM

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  5. I did it. I resigned half of my hours because PBLA is impossible to do without one unpaid hour for each paid hour. I can start collecting my Canada Pension now so that makes up for some of my lost income, my pension will still grow. I will still be working 25 hours a week with 12.5 paid but 12.5 unpaid BUT IT WILL GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK. I am so angry at IRCC and CIC for ruining my financial plans, and ruining my life and basically for being cruel unnecessarily.

    IRCC and CIC you and PBLA suck.

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    1. Dear Resigned,
      My heart goes out to you. It goes without saying that none of us should be put in this position.
      I watched this TED Talk yesterday about gaslighting and could only think of PBLA because we are being told repeatedly that what we know is true is not true. One of the speaker's points in this talk is that to keep your sanity, you have to give up on the idea that the perpetrator of the gaslighting will ever be held accountable. :( https://youtu.be/v4P2Qwh1QCU

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