Last Supper

I’m sitting amidst piles of boxes, eating pulled pork and fried okra from “BarB Cutie’s” with a Shiner Bock. It’s not technically my last supper in Texas, but symbolically this is it. I wanted to eat something Texasish. I haven’t searched, but I’m thinking they don’t have fried okra in Cincinnati.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. I won’t miss fried okra anything like I’ll miss my colleagues at school. I have already written what this staff has meant to me. For the last two months I have procrastinated all thoughts of parting. I determined just to enjoy every last day at Reed. Well, tomorrow is the last day. Damn.

They have all been so gracious to me, choosing to look at the positive things I did. They always said the nicest things. I’m pretty much over-rated at school. To me I'm just some guy who tries hard among a staff of people who know what they are doing, and love our students like crazy. Inspirational they are.

I’m hoping I can get through tomorrow without being reduced to a puddle on the floor.

Katy and I are leaving for Guatemala Friday. I’m so proud of her. A parent always hopes their children go beyond them. All three of mine have. I took Katy on a few mission trips, and now she is taking me on one. My purpose is to help get Katy settled, and build relationships with the people of the village. I’m not sure what I’ll actually do, but I hope it includes a little teaching. I also hope I can get footage for a short documentary about village life, textile production in the village, farming, and some local music. I’ve packed my camera, mics, and tripod.

After I leave Guatemala I’ll spend a week in San Miguel, Mexico. Some of my teacher friends invited me to visit them when they go south this summer. It’s a dangerous thing to invite me on a trip like that because I’ll take you up on it!!! I am so excited to go. I have wanted to go to Mexico since high school. Crikey, that’s over 30 years! If things work out, I’ll get to buy an authentic Mexican instrument from the person who made it. I think we’ll see some interesting places. My friends are the most hospitable people I ever met, so it should be fun!

Meanwhile Susan will be in our new Ohio house alone. When I made the plans it seemed like a good idea, I guess I was sort of dragging my feet about leaving here. I think I’ll get a chance to make up for it – our new house needs some remodeling…

I’ve been a little long-winded tonight. I’m not sure I can blog again until I get to Ohio in the 27^th of June. I plan to journal my trip, so when I get back I’ll post an account of my adventures down south.

Better to just Rip it Off

It’s almost ended. My remaining time in Texas can be measured in hours. I have been saying “Good Bye” for three months now – one group of people at a time. It’s like pulling a band-aid off reeeeaaaalllllll slowly.

Today was our last “Rise and Shine” assembly at school. We have a short whole-school assembly at the beginning of every week – birthdays, “character kids,” cleanest room of the week, and the “Whoo Whoo” award (we are the Owls here are Reed), the presentation of which is a riot.

Well, anyway, I made the mistake of looking across the gym at all my students and thinking about our year together. I am going to miss those rascals. I had to dive into the restroom for a tissue so I could operate the sound system for the performance of Ms. Hastin’s class with dry eyes.

I’m such a dweeb.

I decided months ago not to dwell on leaving, but just to make the most of everyday we have together. There will be plenty of time to miss them after I am gone. But that day is almost here, and I don’t like it.

We said good bye to our Small Group from Church last Saturday. Even though we all knew it was coming, I had a hard time with our parting. These friends are so dear, and such great people, we are so much better for having known them.