I’ve felt a heaviness, really, since the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing last Thursday, but today it just became overwhelming. I haven’t cried like that in a while. I’ve cried with frustration, cried with anger, cried with exasperation, but today, I was just sad and feeling hopeless.

Being a teacher has always been tough because I work with young people who are growing, maturing at different rates, and dealing with the stress of school, work, home, and activities. It feels extra difficult emotionally lately. So many young people going through so many traumatic and difficult events. I want to support them where I can, teach them what I can, help with whatever I can, but – wow – I don’t always know how. I am struggling with that.

I wish I could write more about what’s going on. I want to protect their privacy more. Today was extra tough.

Today was also extra good: I had a good interaction with a person who hasn’t always been kind and I got a sincere thank you from a person who has generally seemed to have disdain for me. I got to spend time helping some awesome girls after school, and one of my students from last year came in to visit and tell me about her summer.

As I’m wrapping up, I realize this is kind of vague and maybe a little choppy. I need to do some more processing of everything that happened today. It was like everything was turned up to 11 today.

Oh, and then the Presidential Alert went off in 4th hour. Probably 20 phones or more sounding with that obnoxious sound in my room. Afterwards, a kid said “well, now we know what the end of the world will sound like.” They are goofy and awesome.