To Be

While I used to scorn the tsotchke gifts (the music note mugs, the poorly-drawn violin print blouses, the violin-playing mouse Christmas ornaments), I now actively covet those special trinkets held by teachers that manage to weasel out such gratitude from (the parents of) their students. Tonight, my friends, I had all three (3) of my students not show up to their lessons (no cancel, no call, no answering my call, no nada). These students are adults, and why is it, it plagues me, that these adults cannot keep their schedules? And more importantly, why do I feel like a failure because of it? At any rate, my dear students, I love you, place you on the highest pedestal, and am eternally grateful that you would consider me for a teacher, but if someone else comes along and wants your Thursday lesson time... you've forfeited your seniority and priority. Sorry.