Don’t Let the Work Bugs Bite

Recently my kids and I have begun saying, “Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” during our nightly bedtime routine. The first time I said it as my 4-year-old lay in his bed, his eyes grew huge with panic, he became tense and stiff, and whispered to me with a slight petrified tone in his voice, “Dad, there are bugs in my bed that will bite me??”

After explaining it was just an old silly phrase, his anxieties subsided, and every night he now wishes that the bed bugs don’t bite me.

This little exchange has evolved so that every time I leave for work he starts by saying, “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” 

He has also added a few additional phrases: “Don’t let the walk to work bugs bite. Don’t let the work bugs bite. Don’t let the computer bugs bite. Don’t let the office bugs bite.” 

Every morning, I act surprised as if he’s never said this before and I’m hearing it for the first time. And every morning, he thinks he’s the funniest kid in the world, which he is. 

There are days when my son’s wish for me comes true; the work bugs don’t bite. I get home after a productive, life-giving day of work. There are moments of pride in my work or I feel I have made a difference in a student’s life. Those are moments where leadership, collaboration, and innovation come together to benefit the campus.

Yet, there are other days when it seems the work bugs, computer bugs, office bugs, and walk-to-work bugs attack me and leave me with itchy bites. 

As chaplains, we have many conversations with students, faculty, and staff on campus. Each one is truly sacred. We hear those stories about your successes, celebrations or of the ways you have positively impacted the campus community and have influenced students as they continue to explore life on campus. We celebrate with you as you ace an exam, pick your major, develop new relationships, or get a job. 

We also, though, hear your experiences of grief and pain, the times when life seems overwhelming or chaotic, and those times when the work bugs, school bugs, campus bugs, or life bugs happen to bite, leaving you with an itchy or painful sting. We also know this past year there have been unexpected bugs, bumps, and bruises along the way. 

So today, may you find a balm to heal those remaining bites. 

May the new academic year excite your heart, develop within you a creativity, and dream big bold dreams.

May this new academic year point you in new directions, allow you to explore new things, and enable you to discover new adventures. 

May you find your truest and boldest self this academic year, trusting that who you are in the fullest is needed on this campus. 

May it be so.