Several years ago, maybe in 2014 or 2015, my school held an end of the year talent show. As the music teacher, I’d helped some of the kids write and perform skits, listened to their songs, gave them little tips and pointers, and generally made myself available as needed. Of course, I’m only one person, so I hadn’t heard all of the performances. At one point during the show, one of my 3rd grade students walked up to the mic and began singing the song “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins. I hadn’t heard him sing it before and the words washed over me: “I’ve been watching you, Dad, ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo I wanna be like you And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are! I wanna do everything you do, So I’ve been watching you.” It was just a simple, sweet little country song, but suddenly I couldn’t breathe. The air disappeared around me, my chest felt compressed, and I began to have a panic attack so severe that I needed to leave the room, something that has only happe...
Teacher and Mother, Walking the Path with Humor and Love