Today I’m grateful for the number 22.

11.3.2022

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I counted to 22 about 749 times today.

It was field trip day in Kindergarten. The kids’ excitement level was through the roof. Through. The. Roof. I mean, when you’re 5 and you get to wear a special tie-dye shirt AND ride a bus AND go to the farm AND eat lunch at a picnic table AND this happens the same week as Halloween … well, life doesn’t get much better. It’s pretty cool to see kids so pumped about an experience and it’s rewarding to know that you’re helping create a lasting memory for them. There’s so much to be learned by a field trip experience.

But, wanna know a secret? I HATE field trips. I mean, I love how great they are for the kids and that’s why I’m willing to do them. But as for me … I dread field trip days. My field trip anxiety typically starts a couple weeks out and gets progressively worse as the day approaches. There’s usually at least one nightmare in the days leading up to the trip and a semi-sleepless night the night before we go. I’m not typically a worst-case scenario girl. In fact, quite the opposite. But come field trip time, I literally dissect every possible thing that could go wrong.

There are just so many unpredictable things that happen on any given day as a teacher. And the unpredictableness doesn’t faze me when I’m within the 4 walls of my classroom. When I’m in my classroom I have extra tissues and bandaids. I have a nurse down the hall and an administrator in the office just a phone call away. The bathrooms are right there. The kids know what to expect, and we’ve literally practiced over and over again how to function as a group in this environment. But a field trip? All bets are off. No amount of extra bandaids or wet wipes in my backpack is sufficient for me to feel prepared to tackle the unknowns that may present themselves while we’re away from school. No nurse. No principal. No routines. It’s Kindergarten let loose out in the world.

But, I push through and coordinate my chaperones and send the permission slips and collect the money and do all the things. And then, when field trip day comes, I spend my day counting. All day. I count the kids before we leave the classroom, before we get on the bus, and again when we’re on the bus. Today at the farm I counted the kids while they were sitting and learning about corn. I counted them after they came out of the corn maze. I counted them while we were picking vegetables. I counted them when we were waiting in line for the train. I counted them at lunch. I counted and counted and counted. I sometimes think the parents on the field trip must think I’m crazy, but oh well. I’ve never had one complain that I was TOO concerned about losing one of their children.

Today’s field trip was a success – well planned, a great venue, sufficient amount of chaperones, buses on time, no injuries. Despite the chilly weather and a little rain, everyone had a good day. But the best part for me was the number 22. Each time I counted kids, I got to 22. Praise the Lord! And when I counted to 22 when we were safely back in the classroom at the end of the day, I finally relaxed.