My computer had a virus and crashed the Wednesday before the fall semester stated so was in the shop. Sunday night my brother went into the hopsital but I learned that later. The first day of the fall semester was Monday, but all three of my classes had been full and closed for a month. During August I got email message from students wanting to add my classes, so I told them to come to the first day of class. During the first day Monday a few students didn't show up for my 8:00, 1 student didn't show up for my 11:15 class,  1 student didn't show up for my 12:35 but she had emailed she couldn't show.

Five students signed a waiting list to add the 8:00, seven students signed for the 11;15 and five students signed for the 12:35. Then I closed the waiting list; any more students who peeked into the class asking if it was open I told them, "No, it's closed." I told the waiting list students that if they wanted to be in the class, they had to attend Monday and Wednesday classes. If any student enrolled on the roser hadn't showed up Wednesday, I would drop them and add students from the waiting list.

Tuesday I heard my brother who has Parkinson's was in the hopsital and my mother just had a cardiac event--maybe a ministroke or small heart attack that morning. I went to see my brother who was doing better in the hospital and then went to see my mother who was talking rationally. My computer had been in the shop so I picked it up and got home at 6:00 pm and hooked it up. Then I got more emails from students who wanted to add my class but I told them my classes were closed.

 I wanted to spend time with my brother who might be released any time from the hospital. I wanted to spend time with my mother who never had any heart problems before. Tuesday evening I was trying to decide whether I should show up for work on Wednesday. I decided I would. My brother was doing better. My mother was supposed to see her doctor Thursday. 

I showed up to teach Wednesday. More students wanted in but I repeated, "My class is closed." I felt sorry there  were so many people without classes but I had added students from my waiting list to all three classes. I didn't want my own health to break down from overwork because if I did, where would my students and family be then?