How much is it worth to love your job?

Today I knew it. I felt it, and it felt great. For the first time since I started my new job I really knew I loved what I do. I kinda knew it when it didn't matter that my office space was the size of a desk, and the chair I sat in wiggled and if I leaned way back I would land on the floor. I kinda knew it when I walked into the staff room (next door to my office) and there was FREE coffee! I kinda knew it when I could hear co workers laughing down the hall...often. I also kinda knew it when I was asked to play a practical joke on a co worker my first day on the job.

I could almost feel it when my truck rolled over the bridge in the morning sun and I had the sailboats on either side of me in the point, like a picture postcard. I would think to myself.."How lucky am I to be seeing this!?""
But I didn't really know it 100 %. I knew the job had potential...all kinds of potential, and I could feel it deep down in my bones, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I kinda felt it every time I met someone new and they already knew who I was! I kinda knew it when I realized i could walk to almost all my schools, if I really wanted exercise. I could.

I kinda knew it when I walked into the other school, and no matter what day I entered, at 10:00 lunch smelled fantastic! You could smell the meal of the day throughout the entire school..and they don't even have a caf! The children eat at their desks.

I also kinda knew it when, on Fridays, Dunkin Donuts was a treat...for the office. People cannot afford to go to Dunk's twice a day every day for coffee;that' s what the Mr. Coffee is for.

And then there's the stories..of naughty puppies eating library books, and of "how I met Jackson Brown; and who is that hot soccer player? Taylor somebody? There are stories of Gilette Stadium, and Yankee Stadium. There are stories of pre school, and softball, and of mothers and children.

All of a sudden, today felt good. I did not feel like the new girl anymore. I felt like one of the office. When I ventured out to another district, I did not feel like the new girl anymore.

Today I finally knew it was all worth it when I knew I made a difference and suddenly I felt like I fit in and it was all gonna be okay, no matter what. It was rainy and dreary, and my back hurt, but it was a good day. In spite of the tolls, and the commute, and the gas, and the budget, and the longer days, I knew it was worth it.

How much is it worth to love what you do? How much is it worth to get to teach people how to do very cool stuff with whatever technology they have? How much is it worth to have people you don't even know, be excited enough to share something with you their mother shared with them?
Small things do make a difference in the every day lives of people we touch. I get to do that now, every day. Small things. With great things to come.