The Extras

The last couple days I have been reading this book.  It has been on my pile of "wanna read" books, but I got motivated because I saw the movie on the shelf at the video store.  I try to get a book read before I see the "based on" movie.  I like to form my own mental pics and create my own emotional attachment to plot and characters.  I sat on the porch today on a beautiful breezy day and finished the book with lots of tears.  Something about the end hit me hard even though I expected it.  I like what I read in a book about the mistakes teachers make while teaching literature.  The author stated that books are rehearsals for life.  As we read a book we are not only reading about the actions of characters, but it is a mental reheasal for how we might handle the same situations.  In this book, the father is raising his amazing son during the worst of what we could imagine in an apolcalypic world.  Throughout their journey the child never loses his desire to maintain goodness and kindness in a world without it.  As a parent,  I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do as the parent making some of the choices that needed to be made.    
      One thing I am trying to do with my summer, in addition to the things that need to be done, is to take the time to enjoy some me time and take care of myself a little.  This is not intended to be as selfish as it sounds, but I often read articles that talk about  how even the most passionate teachers get burnt out because they never truly take time off.   I don't want to be that person, but I struggle to take time off.  I am always thinking of the next thing I can get done either for school or for my family.  The reality is that if I don't take a breath, I am afraid I will lose my enjoyment of both of those things.  So I am trying to work in those things I love to do.  I had fogotten how much I love my bike, and recently I have missed riding more than ususal.  Some of that may be guilt for not riding more when I promised to ride with my sister in the MS150 again after a three year break.   I went out tonight.  It was hard in the 90 degree weather and my heart rate monitor was constantly singing about me going over the high end of my range, but I did get a good workout.  I am ready to get back at it more regularly.  Walking doesn't get your ready for a bike.  I just need to get my butt on that bike each day.  At 40, I think exercise is a necessary part of me keeping up with all the things I want to do.  I am reminding myself that this is important for me so I can stay valuable for all the people I love.