they're tough kids but you gotta love 'em

Today was a familiar gig, at a school I work at regularly, with a group of kids whose quirks I know well--who in spite of everything often make me smile (and occasionally chuckle).

A classroom for kids with moderate emotional and behavioral disorders is definitely not a picnic kind of job for a substitute teacher, but it's an interesting niche area for me, and sometimes when things aren't too crazy, I actually enjoy it.

You learn to appreciate the small moments of success. You learn to live in the moment. Sometimes the randomness is just random, but sometimes it's funny. You learn to roll with whatever the day has in store. You learn not to take anything for granted. These are good life lessons for anybody.

Today was kind of a funny day. Like most it had its ups and downs. It's a tough crowd, but they're so darn lovable sometimes--those lions when they roar, and you know that underneath all the bravado there's still kittens inside...Funny, funny kids. You gotta love them sometimes, even when they're trying so hard--to be hard.