Thursday I had lunch with my past, present and future. I got a call around 11 AM from a young man, 28 actually. He is the son of a high school student of mine from 1970. 35 years ago, when I was a wife and Catholic high school teacher, I met his dad.
Being a first year teacher, the administration asked me to take the unwanted class of rascals. I was apprehensive for a few days but then fell in love with them all. They were my boys, my lost and found boys. I lived to see them, everyday at third period. We listened to music, talked endlessly and, eventually, they played their music and read their poetry.
From them I leaned what "teacher love" could/should be. (take a note Mary Kay Letourneau) Even though we had only 3 or 4 years difference between us, they were (and continue to be) my little ducks. Teacher love never dies, never lies, is never bored, never half-hearted.
My lunch host on Thursday looks a great deal like his dad when I met him in 1970. In particular, he has the same voice. I felt old. I felt young. All in all it was simply fantastic. Does that make me a "grandteacher?"
it is wonderful to chat with someone from the past and glow in the string of lights that connect your hearts, realizing that the love you experience goes on, but never dims. This is the stuff that makes a worthy life. I believe we keep this love with us after we are gone from here, and we are richer not for what we have materially, but for how much love we experience...but you already realize this my friend!
Posted by: diane | January 08, 2006 at 02:09 PM