A while ago I came up with a category and called it “Feelin’ Good Wednesday” because I knew things were looking crappy for me personally and going through that rough time helps me remember to STOP for a moment and appreciate things. That’s easily done at times when the sun is shining and no one is upset with me, but let’s face it: I have two teenage sons and a daughter on her cusp of adulthood so there’s no shortage of kid drama. My work also forces me to deal with some unpleasant situations, but there is joy to be had.

When I returned to work this week there was an amazing number of students who stopped by my office and in their infinite wisdom and people skills they demanded, “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”

That was their first question. No saluation, nothing. Just WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? which led to to assume they were also thinking DON’T LEAVE US, WOMAN! WE MISSED YOU. DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN.

Ah, to be chastised by 15 year olds. Repeatedly. I can look deep inside them and know they are, ultimately, concerned about me, they just don’t know how to express it.

So, for today’s Feelin’ Good part, I review some important things that have been incredibly prevalent to my own learning as a student advocate. My mother was talking to me about emotional teenagers and I realized that a large part of my time is devoted to counseling students and that I continue to teach over and over correctly identifying emotions when students talk to me.

“I hate her! She makes me sick! I could just HIT HER! Ooooohhh.” I’m eternally amused by this last emphatic Ooooohhh they throw in.

“Why do you not get along with her?”

“I don’t know! She used to be cool with me in junior high.”

“I see. So you’re hurt by her.”

“HURT? ARE YOU CRAZY?” they will say to me. Calming down, but obviously, still upset. “Nawwww. I hate that B” That also amuses me that they don’t SAY the word ‘bitch’ because my ears must be too delicate for that. They just say “B”.

“No, you are hurt. You’re mistaking these two emotions. Anger is just the easiest emotion for you to access. Make no mistake, honey. You are hurt.”

The number of times I’ve had this discussion, be it with boys are girls, is staggering. But it’s one of my proudest moments as an educator and I’ll take a happy emotion from it on any day. Not just a Wednesday.

She’s in her last semester of college. Let me repeat, COLLEGE. Repetition is only for my own awareness because hell to the no. I don’t have a child ready to graduate from college. She’s doing her senior project for design on a winery and this is the picture she’s using for her postcard invites.

DNA. Dude. You rock.

My boys were arguing with one another and logic flew right out the window with the 16-year old who reverted back to juvenile banter with his 12-year old brother.

Morgan: Oh yeah? Say it to my face!

Mason: You say it to MY face!

Morgan: Say it to my face!

Mason: Say it to my face!

Morgan: Say it to my butt!

My baby totally trumped his brother. That wins hands down in my book. Good mother that I am.

Say what you will about Stuart Smalley, he’s feeling better about himself since he started to chant that mantra.

There are some things of late that are making me feel pretty good.

Finding the shortest route to work with a coffee shop along the way.

Figuring out how to use the walkie-talkie they gave me for my new position.

Remembering to listen to the walkie-talkie because the folks who work here say some funny stuff.

A really good, solid pair of silver hoop earrings from Sarah Jessica Parker’s new line, Bitten.

Good hair days; I appreciate them when I get them in these humidity-filled days.

Saying “Good Morning!” with a smile to my students in the hallway and getting the same response.

Meeting parents who work with me to provide the best education for their child.

Not yet feeling like I want to give up trying on a kid who is angry most of the time but gaining patience with him.

Finding a really good leather purse that goes with everything and didn’t make my family go hungry for it’s purchase.

Getting messages on my phone from my daughter that remind me how much I love her.

Having my youngest son rub my shoulders after I get home from work voluntarily because he sees the stress on my face and tries to rid me of it.

Hearing my eldest son tell me that he isn’t going to go out for basketball because school is really important to him right now and he wants to focus on that. On his own.

Enjoying a really good cuppa I made myself from a Sumatra blend and finishing it all but refraining from licking the lid. That’s an improvement.

What’s making you feel good today?