Most of my day is spent with teenagers. Don’t get me wrong, I love them dearly. Heck, you can’t survive as a teacher if you don’t. They make me laugh, they make me smile, and some of them have even been known to bring a tear to my eye. Even though I love them, having an adult to provide real conversation is a great aid to maintaining one’s mental health.
For the past three years, Paulie has provided that. He has gone from being the new math teacher down the hall to being one of my closest friends. We have shared many things together, both personal and professional. I was honored to serve as one of his groomsmen, and I was even more honored when I was able to pray over his first child two years later.
In between classes, he was the one I told a joke to. When a student enfuriated me beyond measure, he was the one I could vent to. For three years, we have shared life.
Last Friday was Paulie’s last day here at SEHS. He got a job as an administrator in another system. Today hasn’t quite been the same.
I had to tell a disgustingly embarassing story to a bunch of women today because he wasn’t here. It’s just not right.
P.S. – Paulie, I emailed it to you. Check your inbox.
Well, I too did not experience the same Monday that I have had the pleasure of experiencing the past 3 years. I missed my job, I missed my students (well, three of them anyway), I missed my friend, my good friend, Mr. A. Monday was tough on a new administrator, being the subject of the grunt work on campus all over again is not the best, but grunt administration work is a new experience that I truly am enjoying. Two days have come and gone, and there will be many more to come. I was touched by you and the other members of our “gang” and your presentations to me on my last day at lunch, and you are all missed. I’m still around to vent, and you know that I love a good joke, so keep them coming. I missed going out to the bus ramp to see your little girl after her day at school. Tell her that I say, “HELLO!” It was my pleasure to work with the finest of English teachers that I have ever known, and I am still honored to be called your friend. Keep me and mine in your prayers, as you and yours are in ours. I’ll be in touch! Paulie