Hace mucho, means "it's been awhile".
Each and every day that I'm with my little Effie, (or should I say "big" Effie), and Celia, and Alex, I think about how much I could share with you. There have been so many wonderful moments in the past month that have made me feel like the luckiest person alive.
It's been quite an adjustment going back to work. It's also been quite hectic, crazy, emotional and eye opening.
Alex is back in school which has been an adjustment in its own. But between working at the high school almost daily, continuing with music classes, taking kids to school, teaching at daycares, cooking, cleaning, putting gas in the cars, doing never ending loads of laundry, waking kids up, putting kids to bed, reading stories, grading papers, writing curriculum, trying to get a foot in the door, and the most difficult task of them all: packing lunches - it's been ... well, I can't say easy, or hard, but I'd say.... a little bit crazy.
Earlier this school year, we lost a friend and a co-worker. Dallas Russell was the first math teacher I ever had that helped me actually "get" algebra. He used to chant "This is where the fun starts", and when he would, Vicky, Mary, Brian, and I would chant along, wiggle in our seats, and get to work. I remember vividly, drinking Snapples in his class and asking questions, while my buddies didn't fare as well. That was in 1996. Since I continued to work at the high school where I graduated from, Mr. Russell and I became friends. I remember on a few occasions sitting across from him while eating lunch at a little Vietnamese restaurant thinking: "I'm sitting across from Mr. Russell", practically in awe. His presence was always about 300 percent above everyone else. His huge stature, his stutter, his overbearing bear hugs, his high fives, and his encouragement was beyond unique.
Mr. Russell was a real buddy to my buddy, and x-boss, x-History teacher Mr. Blackford. Together, they both made it to Celia's baptism, and it wasn't until I had kids that Mr. Russell really connected with me. He told me more than any other person how SPECIAL these moments were. The moments when the children are young. When they love you more than you can ever imagine. When they depend on your every move. He constantly told me to cherish them. Whenever he'd see Alex he'd practically pick him up. And Alex is a big guy, so to see this huge teacher hug and lift my husband was always funny. But it wasn't just a hug. He connected with us in a different way as parents, and I'm glad he did. I started this blog to write about my girls. I'm glad I can look back and remember those silly, sad, happy, and always beautiful moments of my children as babies. I'm grateful that Mr. Russell told me to cherish those moments, because I still do, and always will.
He had a demeanor that other teachers envied. I heard many times, teachers saying they wished they could have just an ounce of his personality that made the students love him. Many just wanted a little of that to rub off on them to feel what he had. We could never walk down the hall together without one student after another acknowledging him. He really was extraordinary.
One day, probably 10 years ago on a lunch date with Blackford and Mr. Russell, he made us stop at the not-entirely abandoned jail on San Fernando Road near the 5 and 110 freeway. We walked in, went up to the roof to see the helicopter landing, then to an old gym. In the gym were some old time cholo types, practicing boxing, and there went Mr. Russell, hugging and high five-ing every guy in the place. Years before on his way to work, Mr. Russell would stop by that gym to work out. It was a special place to him, and meant more to him than the other 15 gyms he had membership to. He was SO happy to be there. He was SO happy to share that moment of his past. He was SO happy to show how he could bench press a zillion pounds. To me he was indestructible. I always wondered what those old cholos in there thought when they saw me, a scrawny young girl, tagging along with a middle-aged Okie, and an ex-pro football playing teacher. Although we were an odd trio, Mr. Russell never ceased to surprise me, or do something to share his happiness. We really miss him, just as thousands of his old friends and students do. Anyone who knew him had a story, and I wanted to take the time to share one too, because I don't want to forget him. I don't want anyone to forget him. I think teachers should strive to be as passionate to their students as he was. I thank him for inspiring me to be a teacher too, and showing me how to do my job and connect with students at the same time. I always bothered him for never letting me sub in his class. The man was never absent. He never missed a day. Now I wish I would have never asked him that, because now he's gone, and I did have to sub for his class a couple weeks ago. But I bet he was watching down on me - chanting for me to be the champ. I tackled some Trigonometry that day, and actually taught the kids, having never even looked at a Trig problem in my life. Maybe he just knew I'd be able to handle it.
I'll save the next posts to mention my lovely little ladies who are more darling and dazzling than ever. I hope all you readers are well, happy, and healthy. Be good. And be patient cuz I'll write more soon. :)
