you look good, you feel good, you do good

one of my favorite teachers was my high school biology teacher.

mr. usher.

he was fun, laid back, sorta hippy-ish.

he actually liked his students and really enjoyed teaching us. and his excitement was contagious.

he had this gigantic oar propped by the back door of the class room. it was the hall pass. as long as it was there, you could take it and leave without asking permission.

he trusted us.

he knew that sometimes you had to go to the bathroom, get a drink, retrieve a book from your locker, or hang out with your friends who just happened to be ditching class.

he understood. he was cool like that. and besides, everyone knew you were from mr. usher's class. you couldn't exactly blend in dragging that gigantic thing behind you.
and he made a real big deal about finals. he stressed to us to get good sleep and eat a good breakfast. and then on the day of finals, he'd show up dressed in his tuxedo (but still wearing his very worn-in hippy-ish jeans).

his motto: "you look good, you feel good, you do good."

the following years, i always found comfort on finals day when i'd see mr. usher walking the halls in his tux. i liked him. i liked his philosophy.

i often think of this... "you look good, you feel good, you do good."

and i was reminded of it the other day watching ella clean. i'm guessing anything would be fun dressed as a princess. imagine how glamorous i could feel if i wore a gown while loading the dishwasher or folding laundry. if only i could get away with dressing like that all the time.

oh, but i can't.

and here's why:

so ella asked me, "mom, um... is it ok if i'm the queen or would you like to be the queen?"

not really caring but recognizing the need to keep the subordinates in their place i respond with, "well, how about i'm the queen and you are the princess."

"ok." and she seems happy with this.

for a little while.

but after thinking for a bit, she comes back. "um, well, since you are a mom now, and you really don't have nice clothes anymore, do you think it would be ok if instead i was the queen?"

wow.

um, well, i guess you're right. so... sure.

i'll just stick to being the servant. in my stained, out-of-style, faded, old "mom" clothes.