It's all happening

I
t’s hard to express just how happy I am right now! 
After experiencing so much uncertainty and anxiety in the last couple of weeks regarding how this last week would transpire, I could not be more giddy with the way the first few days of school and the opening of fall sports went! 
As the WDE and the WHSAA made 11th hour decisions regarding both school and sports, I was crossing my fingers about the fate of both as last Monday rolled around. 
You know how when you are looking so forward to something that as it draws nearer, you get worried that something will go wrong and ruin it all? 
Well that’s where I was last Tuesday night as the beginning of school was on the horizon. I’ve missed my students and I’ve missed my sports since March 16th and I have wished so desperately for the return of both! 
So when students came back to my beloved building on Wednesday, I was in a weird place. And as the first contests of the year took place on Friday, I had a physical reaction. 
My body released a rush of endorphins as the Lady Dogie volleyball team ran out on the court and the official blew the whistle for the first serve. 
I literally felt tears well up a little. 
It may sound like I’m a little obsessed, especially when I don’t really have a horse in the race (my own children are no longer in high school), but these kids that play volleyball, football, those that swim and those that run cross country are my students and I know how very much each of them were hoping that they would get to be exactly where they were on Friday - in their Dogie uniform, competing in the sport they love.
Now my fingers are crossed that these kids will get to see their seasons come to fruition and that they will be able to finish their season competing in their regional and state events.
I know that there are those who believe very strongly that being asked to wear a mask is a violation of their rights, however I know that I am willing to do whatever I have to do to keep them on the court. 
For that matter, I am willing to do whatever I have to in order to keep the kids in school, period. Face-to-face education is far superior to online education, no matter the age of the student, and if we want the winter and spring sports to have a fighting chance of being able to take place, we have to stay in school. 
The Dogies had a great start to their seasons and God willing and the creek don’t rise, they will finish their seasons successfully as well.