9/11

I'm trying to remember what year that all happened. I know where I was and what I was doing. I remember the events that happened around that time, too. For some reason my mind rewound back to my old classroom and I could see little Alisa and her wheel chair so clearly. But the memory that came to me this morning was her walking down to the gym with her walker to graduate and the standing ovation we received when she walked across the gym in front of the stage to get her diploma. Maybe that was God's way of reminding me that I can do my job after all.

Last night I had the wierdest dream about trying to catch a rat in my cats' pet taxi to help someone with their science project. The rat kept getting loose through a series of wild antics initiated by one of the cats. I think in the end I finally got the rat to its destination. I can't remember. I just know I woke up tired. Somehow I believe the dream has something to do with this new job. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the experience of Malik and Amy's presense at the school or if it has anything to do with my marriage to Joey or my family situation and the fact that Mamie's daughter teaches at my school and could tell a lot of garbage about me.

My only hope is to keep my attention focused on that classroom like I did so many years ago while Joey was in prison and draining me. I hope the new student's IEP has been faxed to the school. I have no idea what goals to write for a student that I've yet to lay eyes on. I have no clue about his strengths and weaknesses.

Hero

As sung by Mariah Carey

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you