399. Check In With Yourself

Sue, who works in the front office of a school, shares a sweet moment amidst the chaos of back to school.

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

SUE: Hi, my name is Sue and it’s going to be okay.  I’m not sure if anyone listening can appreciate how incredibly busy the weeks leading up to the first day of school can be in the school office.  For example, trying to bring families in to register their students for school when they are all deep into summer mode is like wishing for a low humidity day in Chicago.

in July.  An impossible dream.  I’m on my feet, rushing back and forth from my office window to the copier, to my desktop, to my laptop, over and over again and again.  Oh, don’t forget to answer the phone too.  I’m airdropping,  we’re emailing, I’m printing, I’m copying all the necessary documents, trying to make things.

move as swiftly and painlessly as possible for all of us.  My Apple watch is constantly telling me that it’s time to stand up  and I just scream  in my head, bitch, I’ve been standing all day long  and I can prove it.  It’s actually evident from the amount of steps that I’ve taken. said Apple Watch is logging for me in the 10 square feet that is my office.

One day it was 14, 000, another 10, 000, 7, 800,  and hey, at least I’m hatching Pokemon Go eggs and seedlings in Pikmin Bloom while serving my school community and getting all of the shit done.  During a particularly difficult day, a three year old came to my window with his guardian to register for our preschool program.

This sweet, hopeful, tiny face  immediately says, Hello, how are you doing?  I pause and I internally examine his question  and honestly answer,  I’m actually good.  Thank you for asking and helping me to remember that today.  Pausing to check in with myself was needed. I didn’t know it was, but it so was.  This three year old knew it.

This little boy is my  back to school hero today.  And remember, he is also everyone’s future  and it’s going to be okay.