It's the Night Before My Birthday

It's the night before my birthday and I want to go to bed. Been working hard all my life, but I just can't get ahead Please don't ask how many years, I lost count long ago, But age is NOT just a number, that's one thing I know. I am not going to write a 14-stanza poem with 4 lines per stanza, at least not this late, not this time. Thinking is hard work, rhyming is hard work, and I've been working hard all day. In case you're wondering, I was thinking of, yes, "The Night Before Christmas," but now is not the time to put forth that much effort. I talked to my brother for an hour and 23 minutes, that might be a record, and it was the best birthday present I will get, of that I am sure. One thing we talked about was my job. I love my job. My job is not just a job. It is not just a way to make money to pay bills, although it does help with that a lot. My job is not just a job, it is a calling. I use practically everything I can do on my job as a literacy tutor. I help first graders with phonics and numbers, I help second and third graders with reading and writing, I help fourth graders with reading comprehension and math, and I help a Spanish speaking fifth grader with his studies and his English. I get to help teach kindergarten music. I enjoy everything I do on my job, and the day goes by quickly. Clearly there are tricky skills to work on, such as how to deal with inattention and interruptions and distractions and occasional disrespect and obnoxiousness, which I have concluded takes a lifetime to learn, and I learn from the best. I have been at this job for 10 years and I work with the best teachers anywhere, and I really mean that. I think helping kids to become literate is about as important as anything else in education, and I feel privileged to be able to do it. I am very thankful for my work, for the people I work with, and for the children. Thanksgiving and my birthday go together in my world because my birthday falls on Thanksgiving every five or six years. Last time it fell on my birthday was in 2021, and the next time it will fall on my birthday will be 2027, if I should live so long. I rather suspect I might survive another couple of years, but nobody knows for sure. If I stay healthy, I might work another, who knows, five more years? I wonder if anyone has ever worked that long. Actually, I have recently read about a woman about 101 who runs a jewelry story, I think it is, and only takes off one day a week. So, a story like that inspires me. All my life my birthday and Thanksgiving kind of went together. I also know a couple of people who have their birthday on the same day as mine. And I am sure they have enjoyed that same benefit. I am going to close and get ready for bed now. Happy Birthday, anyone who has their birthday on November 25th. Enjoy your special day and all that. I will enjoy my special day at work. I can't imagine anything any more fun than that. Yes, I'm serious. Or should I say delirious? Goodnight.