I'm a big fan of the Amazing Race. And part of the thing that's so great about it, is that at the end of a long, hard leg, the contestants get to jump onto a mat where a handsome man named Phil gives them a welcome, a ranking (first, second, third place...) and sometimes even a prize.
And the last episode of the show is even better because they have all the previous contestants (which they have already beat out) lined up and clapping for them as they victoriously run to the finish line. And Phil yells above everyone else's screams and cheers and joy: "So-and-so, After 28 days, 14 countries, 4 continents and over 72 000 miles around the globe YOU! ARE! THE WINNERS! OF THE AMAZING RACE!!" And then they get a million dollars! Man, what a sense of accomplishment they must feel! Talk about taking care of business! I was just sitting here thinking how much more productive we would all be if we got that sort of recognition in our own lives.
And winning the million dollars aside, talk about the value of having someone else not only appreciate all your hard work, but categorize it so succinctly like that... The truth is, don't we ALL need a Phil to greet us at the mat?!
Well, I'm on the homestretch. Only a few long and agonizing days until the end of THIS leg of my own private race. Am I pregnant? In the hospital? Waiting for a heart transplant? No. I'm a teacher and it's only 5 days until Christmas... And on Friday, when I finally make it onto my mat at home, I would really appreciate some of the love that Phil bestows upon his peeps:
"Karen Rowe: After 4 months, 108 journals , 31 book projects, 84 Dracula recipes, 36 school plays, 16 debate meetings, 5 tournaments and 70 parent-teacher interviews... YOU! ARE THE WINNER OF...NOTHING AT ALL! A PAYCHEQUE AND TWO WEEKS OFF WORK!!!
There are no free trips, no free all-terrain vehicles, no opportunity to see the world, get to know your partner better, or have the experience of a lifetime. No, most of us are the unsung heroes in our own lives. I'm sure it's the same for you too. You stay-at-home moms out there don't have people clapping and announcing all of YOUR accomplishments. '259 diapers changes, 54 disasters averted, 32 spills cleaned up, 14 fights broken up and...."
Well, all I'm saying is, wouldn't it be nice to have a mat we could jump onto victoriously and people to cheer us on? So to all the unsung heroes out there, HANG IN THERE. You're certainly the winners in SOMEbody's eyes, whether or not they ever say it, or ever even acknowledge it.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
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3 comments:
AMEN AND HERE-HERE TO THAT, FRIEND!
I don't need to be a student or an ungrateful parent to congratulate you on the work you do, Krowe. I'm one of the many who wouldn't touch that profession with a 39 and a half foot pole...but hope that my daughter will have a teacher like you at the head of the class, when she hits junior-high-hell...
That said, hope you get a few nice teacher mugs and treats from said ingrates!
Merry Christmas!
Fanks Dionne! It's ALMOST like winning a million dollars...:)
Congratulations, Craig! You've worked like a dog and haven't talked to anyone for nearly a month and what do we have for you? An $800 car maintenance bill! Merry Christmas! You're flat-broke!!!
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