Forks and Napkins

For those who have watched all 3 seasons of The Bear, they would recognize the words Forks and Napkins and connect them to 2 episodes of the series. I watched ‘Forks’ with Hans, and we both enjoyed it as an episode of wonderful character development. I watched ‘Napkins’ by myself and totally related to it. There is this character who loses her job in her 40s and feels disheartened by the fact that she may no longer be relevant as people younger than her seem to be the ones who are in-charge of hiring, and she doesn’t have the necessary qualifications. It was heartbreaking, but it ends well.

I too started my career in my 40s and I too had my moments of doubt. My 1^st day of supply teaching was on January 17, 2019. It was in a DD (Development Disabilities or Developmentally Delayed) classroom. First day and I knew I found my calling. Ever since then I have wanted to be a Special Education teacher. However, even after 758 days of supply teaching, I am still “unemployed” in a manner of speaking. In 7 days, I will be 50 years old. And I know teachers who are in their 50s who are retiring soon.

I am spewing out numbers here and perhaps sounding a little bleak. That’s not the intent at all. I am more positive than I ever was in my entire existence.

I would have to work until I am 65 years old. And I am looking forward to it. That’s the connection I made to ‘Napkins’. It doesn’t matter what age you are when you find something that you enjoy doing - nothing else matters! That’s how I feel right now. I feel good.