TEACH

I watched a CBS Special last week about teachers.  It was called "Teach" hosted by Queen Latifah.  It documented four teachers around the country, their class, the challenges they faced getting their kids, all of them, to improve, the lower-level learners, along with the higher-level learners.  As an aside, we all want to believe our kids, of course, are in the "higher" category, but let's face it, not all of them are, and this world is made up of many kinds of learners, all at different levels, and that is what makes our world a wonderful place.  
Back to the program:  It made me think about the teachers I had, growing up, who I enjoyed, who I didn't, and who I appreciate now, as an adult, looking back on their classroom demeanor and how they treated us as students.  Shout out to Mr. Rick Adkins for his constant enthusiasm for Biology.  Although I didn't go into the sciences, I appreciate what I learned in that class and the energy he brought every day, day in and day out!  I now work with hearing impaired college students who are taking Bio 101 and MicroBio and I can say that I am a bit more prepared for CARTing those classes for my students than I would have otherwise been.
I would also like to thank Mr. John Meis and Mr. Jerry Bond, two very proficient teachers who left everything on the table in their classrooms.  Mr. Meis taught English, something I use very often in my work now, and Mr. Bond taught me Science in Junior High.  He made it interesting, tolerated no "slackers" and brought humor into the classroom.  
Teachers, they have my full respect and support.  Their job is challenging, and it's never easy to "bring it" day in and day out!  Raising our boys in the Catholic School system from kindergarten up through high school was the best decision we ever made.  That is not to say there is anything wrong with public schools; we wanted to bring our faith into our boys' education.  
Thank you to the teachers who make the effort to not just "do" their job, but to realize the importance of their job and embrace the challenge of teaching our next leaders with enthusiasm, with humor, and fervor for learning.  Know that you are appreciated by this "Mom"!!

I'm counting on Frank

   We arrived home late last night, tired, emotionally wiped out, and thankful that our "home" when we come back from somewhere is San Diego, not too shabby of a place to live.  :)
   I didn't get as upset saying goodbye to C2 as I thought I would, perhaps because I had rehearsed over and over in my mind that I needed to be strong, for him, for me, for my pride.  I think, though, it was more that I saw how happy he was to be back among his peers, swimmers and nonswimmers alike, roommates he had handpicked to share this year's journey with him.  They looked so happy, all six of them, one on crutches.  Their parents, many of whom we had not met before, were awesome.  I enjoyed each and every one of them.  We all swarmed on the dorm, took to our respective son's room and unpacked them like the "pros" we have become.  Of course our sons were still hicking the stairs with "loose" items that would not fit in the gigantic carts they "lend" you to move your treasured son/daughter in with.  You have to practically sign your life away in order to use one.  They are handy, but they usually cannot fit everything that is needed, or should I say, "wanted" in a dorm room, so the kids continue to climb stairs while we make swift handiwork of the boxes and tubs that have arrived in the aforementioned "cart"!  We cleaned and hung clothes and organized the kitchen drawers and cupboards and when they were semi set up, we left them to do the rest.
  Then comes the trip to Target and the grocery store, both of which we did the next day.  We were too tired on day one, I think because of the stress of going through the process to get them six floors up in a building you are sure at least 2,000 students call "home" for the 2013-14 school year!  We brought along two other young men, who shall remain nameless but are near and dear to my heart, so we packed the rented Patriot Jeep to the roof!  Kevin even commented we should have rented a "topper" for it!  :)
  Then, after all is unfurled from the car, it is time to say goodbye, which takes me back to my surprise at my emotional goodbye, but not with the total sobbing I was afraid I would demonstrate!  Good.  Pride in tact, love left in those warm, wonderful hugs C2 is known for, and off we drive.  He is happy, settled in, and anticipating the best year ever!  My prayer is that is exactly what happens.  With God's hand on his shoulder, I am ever hopeful that his hard work and good decisions will pay off and he will flourish, again! 
  Goodbye, see you at Christmas...... now what?  It's these moments I think of Frank Sinatra, one of our family's favorite singers.  The "Turn Around" song about how fast the years of your children fly by.  Of course we don't see or feel that while we are in the midst of it, but it is nevertheless true; they, indeed, fly by.  Now they are men, less needing of me and my wisdom than ever. 
  It's in this moment that I think of another one of  Frank's songs:  "The Best Is Yet To Come"!  I look at Kevin and I think, the "best" has to be ahead, or what would be the point.  I'm counting on you, Frank....