I can hardly wait for summer. Every year I say it, but it's not until the last week that the desire really hits home. Recently its been more so. Technically last week should have been our last, but with a two week spring break (courtesy of the CTA) we're out next week. I'm not complaining, but it feels long. The kids are riled up, teachers are tired and cranky, and frankly so am I. Part of my job, unfortunately being the night custodian, is to be the "old" guy who growls at the kids to keep in line. Andy, the night custodian when I was in elementary school was somewhat this. He's a nice guy, friendly enough, just kept to himself mostly. After five years doing the kind of job he's done for longer than I've been alive I can see how one gets to be that way.
Its a lonely job. Not many really know who you are or what you do. Many times parents or kids simply see you as the hired help. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to find piles of messes not two feet from a trash can in a classroom. Different teachers and kids require different needs and its tough keeping them all on track. Above all them is my supervisor who is busy with her own thing. She works hard and tries to help me learn to be a better worker and hopefully take over once she's gone.
In the end, I'll be glad to see summer come. I'll work, cleaning things up, making the whole school sparkle like new. Then when summer's over, the kids and teachers will come back and things will go back to the same old mess. But I won't mind. Summer will rejuvenate me, as it does with everyone else. If my job, and life have told me anything, its to appreciate the little things. In the end, I've been there five years. I've made a lot of friends, helped a lot of kids. I'm recognized now and I'm appreciated for my hard work. The positives outweigh the negatives, and there's room for more improvement. So here's to summer. Let's hope the kids will be safe, enjoy their time off, and come back refreshed as I will be.
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