Vacation

The past two weeks has been educational, inspirational, and very exasperating. I have become an expert in the basket hold. I have learned far more than I have taught. Although I have only worked five hours a day, I have come home more exhausted than a nine hour regular teaching day. When you have students talking to themselves, spitting at each other, telling you they want to hurt the kids and then going after a crying child, this makes for a full day.

My heart goes out to the parents who day after day, regardless of what happens to them, unconditionally love, have an amazing reserve of patience, and inspire those of us who have "normal" children. If you want to get an idea of what these parents go through, read A Different Kind of Perfect: Writings by Parents Raising Children with Special Needs.

Saturday we are going to Padre Island. We are going to stay in a friend's town home. Sun, surf, and relaxation awaits us.