Ironic?

Tonight is my first night of classes.  What that means is that I spent last night scouring my class lists to see if I will be working with any students I've taught previously or any students I might know outside of class.  My daughter doesn't understand this.  She doesn't see the knots in my stomach as I look at those lists and wonder if the student named Jones is related to the Jones student who went to second base with his girlfriend -- during my class.  Or maybe this Jones student is related to the Jones student who failed to attend class at all after midterm and then was outraged that he failed.  Then again, this Jones student might be related to the Jones student who got caught plagiarizing and then tried to convince me he wasn't the guilty party because he had hired someone else to write his paper.  Then again, maybe this Jones student is related to the Jones student I loved, and I live in fear that the second time around won't be as great.

So I looked over the list, and there it was.  Sue Jones.  The worse case scenario:  a former friend.  No trouble went between us, but the friendship just kind of died when our lives went in slightly different directions.  I've run into her a few times since, and it was awkward.  Now she is in my class, and I am not jumping up and down celebrating.

This morning my boys received their letters from school telling them who their teachers are for this year.

Two of the boys will work with teachers our other children have worked with in the past.  These teachers are beloved to our family.  Just beloved.  I even sent the Superintendent of Schools a letter once about how much I loved those teachers.

So when the letters arrived, I was certain those very same teachers must be doing the dance of delight knowing they would have yet another chance to work with Caution Flag's children.

Then I thought about how I cringe when I see a familiar name on the roster.  What are my boys' teachers really thinking right now??

Irony?  I think so.