A Brief Interlude (#15)

Around eleven this morning, I began typing up a blog post. That is very early for me. It should have been a cause for celebration. However, I abandoned the project, partly because I had an errand scheduled thirty minutes later that I could not avoid. But mostly because my heart really was not in it. Well, my heart was there, just the darker part. 

(I know I have used this image before, because, for some reason, I am fond of it.)

The screen was filling up with negativity, consisting of frustration and self-pity. Indeed, just now I began writing out, again, all my disappointments from this past week. But I do not want to go there right now. There is enough despondency in the world today. Also, there is an abundance of it spilled across the pages of this blog. The world requires something happy and beautiful; therefore, that is what I wish to contribute, even if it is just a few sentences.

Long ago there was a teacher. There was nothing extraordinary about him. He would never receive a teacher of the year award. or even be runner up on such a list. No great words of wisdom would pass his lips and take root in the ears of some future Nobel laureate. Neither would he impart profound knowledge upon his students. His struggled daily to keep them focused on basic tasks. On occasion he would make them laugh with him, though many days they would laugh at him, especially when he took himself too seriously.

Yet, he never stopped caring about them, spending hours before and after school cleaning  and straightening things up. Nor did he give up trying to reach them. Always devising creative ways to teach. Enduring embarrassment and sacrificing his own resources on various wild projects. Even witnessing the slow demise and final collapse of his thirteen year commitment.

As a result of his persistence and dedication, he holds on to a trove of beautiful memories. Of young people smiling at him, some times while listening attentively. Or joking around with him playfully. Creating lyrical prose from his classroom prompts. Asking thoughtful questions, and providing thought-provoking responses. Of students sharing their own personal and career dreams, while diving wholeheartedly into his latest classroom decorating schemes.    

Of the little girl whom he hit in the face with a basketball, accidently, and how both teacher and student held back the tears, not wanting the other to see them cry.

Of the young lady whom he held in his arms as she chose to shatter into a million shards, instead of sharing her pain.

Of the young boy who dressed up as his favorite teacher one Halloween, complete with long-sleeved-button-down shirt, tie, khakis, and tightly combed, gelled hair.

Of the older girl, who one afternoon, after school, shared with him her passionate love for the book Wicked, expressing such joy and happiness, that the memory has never escaped his mind.

While he has yet to change THIS world, these memories, and many more like them, remind him that he managed to change a hundred little OTHER worlds. More importantly, all of his students have managed to change his life, for the better.

And knowing that makes him a very happy person.