Happy Valentine's Day

My memories of Valentine's Day mostly consist of the smell of that glue/paste stuff used in elementary classrooms; the distinct smell of construction paper (red, white and pink); and the sweet smell of those candy message hearts.  There were class lists, boxes of valentines to sort through so that your best friend got just the right Scooby Doo character.  There were stubby nosed scissors and paper doilies spread all over the table.  And if you were very lucky, you got to dip your hands in red paint to make your Mom her Valentine.

This Valentine's Day, I'll be sorting through papers all over the desk to make sure the IRS gets just the right numbers.  I'll use highlighters, paper clips, a calculator and a stapler.  There will be only the smell of hot coffee.  There's a special box of income tax papers not unlike those boxed Valentines you'd use in elementary school.  And if I'm very lucky, there will be some special numbers in the REFUND box.  Taxes can't be filed  until Valentine's Day this year due to new tax laws enacted very late. That's one way to make Monday special.

Some people complain that Valentine's Day is one of those Hallmark manufactured holidays when people need to "show" their love and make the day special.  It's going to be a special day this year, all right.  Other people complain that the whole income tax system in the United States is something like those childhood handmade valentines held together with old dry paste:  crumbly and stinky.  I don't really have a strong opinion about that one way or the other.  I'm just happy to have a sanctioned opportunity to say "I love you".

That's Gonna Be Me Someday"

I guess the upcoming royal wedding got me thinking a little bit about the dreams we have for ourselves when we are young.  An extraordinarily beautiful "commoner" will marry into the British royal family and I wonder if she ever whispered "That's gonna be me someday" when she saw Diana or Queen Elizabeth.  (Well, I'm quite certain she did not say "gonna", but nevertheless.)

When Amy was about 8, we went to see a great production of "Hello Dolly".  When Dolly strode down the majestic staircase in her long red gown to the swelling music leading up to the namesake tune, I heard her say to herself "Someday that's gonna be me!"  Took my breath away then and still chokes me up.  The magic of youth and the performance led her to truly believe anything would be possible for her.

When Ryan was 10, he whispered those same words to himself when he saw how devastated I was after Mom died.  Different tone, same words.  Took my breath away then and still chokes me up.  I thought is was a very mature realization that anything is possible also for things that seem unimaginably sad.

Some people believe that we don't do our children any favors by encouraging them to believe that they can become anything.  I can see both sides of that argument but I always knew better than to encourage Amy to dream about becoming a WNBA star.  But who ever dreamed that she would be the only defense between an 84 game win streak and a first ever trip to the state championship for Harpursville field hockey?  Who dared dream that Ryan could score the winning run in the championship game in the bottom of the last inning and bring the league title home as definitively as he stepped on home plate to score that run?

They did.  Amy and Ryan had those dreams.  Anything is possible.  Anything.

Everything Old is New Again

I've been thinking about Dad's career; the years he spent teaching English in Forestville especially.  I got to wondering what kind of teacher he was.  What were his daily habits at school?  How did he get along with students and other teachers?  What did he have for lunch?  And other equally compelling questions.  I started thinking about my day in order to help form a picture in my head.  Then I remembered Dad wasn't the librarian so I started thinking about our own English teachers and playing a little game of Match Up.  Scary, right?

So, here you go.  These descriptions are completely based on my own observations and biases.    You may have your own.
Senior English:  a female so I'm taking her personality out of consideration.  My blog, my rules.


Junior English:  Dresses every day in a dark suit.  Is somewhat irreverent and often brash or rude.  Divorced.  Seems to hate women and is often insulting.  Coach.  Room's a mess.  Often found surfing the internet with is feet on the desk.  Posts all vocab words for the year on the board and tests on them weekly going down the list 20 at a time. Average arrival time.  Usually eats lunch alone in front of the computer with his feet on the desk.  Paces room.  Often in trouble with someone for actions or words.

Sophomore English:  Lanky and married with 3 young children.  One of the only teachers that writes up students late to class.  Changes up his lessons pretty frequently.   Uses lyrics or TV shows in unique ways.  Can be irreverent and brash but usually doesn't sound rude.  Sometimes looks a little rumpled even in his jeans and sweatshirt.  Directs the school play and runs chess club. Average arrival time.  Usually eats bag lunch with everyone.  Active teacher, laughs at self and with good humor.  Wry observer.

Freshman English:  One of the "hip" guys but doesn't look the part.  Students love him.  Admits to some anal tendencies but seems to let student behaviors roll off his back.  Lessons pretty much the same year to year, but they seems like great lesson ideas.  Coach.  Pretty low-key.  Early arrival.  Rarely eats with everyone.

My best guess for the candidate closest to Dad's everyday worklife behavior is the one named Paul.  Which one do you think it is?

Looking around for the yearbook picture for this post, I found his application for the Walton job.  I noted with interest his comments on the duties of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction:

Reading these over sound very much like today's!  All the changes coming in New York State education are intimidating to some current teachers.  Ryan is considering entering the field and it's hard to imagine the teaching world he'll be entering in only a few years.  I take comfort that "everything old is new again".  Everything will take care of itself.  Again. 

And the tradition continues...

Remember, we have 2 weddings coming up...

Can't wait, but Amanda will have other things to do for one of them.

1991

Do you think Mom and Jean are gabbing away up there?  Do you think St. Peter has had the privilege of being entertained by Dad and Jean's "gender bender" routine?Maybe he would allow it in order to hear Burt laugh.  What silliness ever started this tradition?  What made it continue over the years?  Such stories these four had to share!  Rest in Peace.

As much as we think things change, they stay the same--don't they?

We were watching Judy's slideshow yesterday at her house for the annual family Christmas celebration (thank you Judy!) and commenting on how hard it sometimes is to tell the Ryan girls apart in older pictures.  Kathy had mentioned that she noticed how, over the years, we have each been mistaken for the other.  I, for one, have no idea what you all are talking about:

Have a great week thinking about this!

Reach a bit in 2011

1993

2008

Now that 2010 is well behind us, I can breathe a little sigh of relief that it's over.  We knew it was going to be a very big year for us--and it was!  A wonderful year full of tributes, joy and nervous expectation.  My emotional well being was battered about like a tennis ball going back and forth across the net.  It was great and I hope you all have a chance to experience such a series of wonderful events.  But be ready for some bruises on your emotions.

So for 2011 I'm hoping to open my arms wide and gather up friends, family and experiences close to my heart.  We've got a pretty good start on things welcoming Kathy and Mickey to the household.  Open your arms--open your heart.  Happy 2011 from me to you!