A pyramid of sheep

Sometimes I forget how to play. Like at recess when I’m walking next to the playground, and I don’t want on the railroad ties. I love railroad ties more than more other things. Or when I get in my car and turn the radio down, because it’s too loud. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as music being played too loud. Or when the wind blows the shades on my window, and for some reason I think that’s enough. But I know that windows have never been enough. And my mind tricks me out of playing.

I think this is because I’m a teacher. I think as a teacher I have to train myself not to play, otherwise I probably wouldn’t get anything done.

Sometimes, though, I spend most of my evening drawing silly pictures on postcards for a second grade class in Georgia and their postcard contest. I draw pictures of a raptor on a motorcycle, a bird king ruling over his snail subjects, a pyramid of sheep, or a hot dog band performing at a wedding reception. Times like that, I’m reminded that I will never forget how to play. Not really. Too much of my twelve-year-old self is always itching to escape.

I think this is because I’m a teacher. I think as a teacher I have to remember how to play, otherwise I probably wouldn’t love what I do so much.

If life was all reminding kids what page we’re on, giving seminars on bullying, spending every day after school reminding students how to do work I’ve already taught them, and chasing down missing assignments, I don’t think any of us (the students or myself) would learn much. Instead, it’s necessary that I throw in some play time. Like shouting random move lines at the track team as they run by me during hills. Like drawing the kids in the after school program pictures of weasels at a disco. Like... like everything.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are always going to be days that you forget how to play. It doesn’t matter what job you have or what your profession is. But, as a teacher, there are always going to be days that you remember how to play. And I don’t think you can say that about every job. Some job... sure. But not all of them.