Well, once in a while I do something right.

Back at the end of summer school, one of my students (one of the really good students in my class) had been unable to take the final - he had a close friend die, and wanted to go to the funeral out-of-state (totally understandable). He tried to make up the exam the weekend after, but got involved helping his friend's family (however, he didn't get in touch with me right away).

I had a dilemma - I could give him a C, which was what he would have had even without the 100 points of the final (I said he was a really good student), or give an incomplete and hope he could make it up.

Guided by my experience and intelligence, I gave him an I.

He called me while I was out of town - apologizing profusely (and explaining) and asking if he could make up the final. So I said sure.

He just came in and took it. Just about aced it, which means he earned an A for the class. He also shook my hand after I graded it and handed me a card, thanking me for my flexibility and help. And he said that he "thoroughly enjoyed [my] class."

I'm keeping the card; it's going in my "I Don't Suck" box - a box of things I keep to remind myself when I'm down in the dumps that I do, occasionally, do something right.

I'm just happy everything worked out, and after all that he did earn an A.