Posthumous Friendship

Attended the memorial service for a colleague yesterday.

Kathy Slade was a 1973 graduate of Catalina High School.

What struck me was that, though we went to different high schools, we graduated the same year and likely had mutual friends. We shared similar interests, married one year apart, and followed somewhat similar paths.

Pity I didn't know this before now.

I teach in a small school district in Tucson. Everybody knows pretty much everybody; or should I say, we're acquainted with nearly everyone.

Don't be afraid to let people in. Ofttimes were hesitant to mix our personal lives with our professional lives; while it's not necessary to go overboard and make all your colleagues a "BFF" we should at least get to know them past the surface. You never know what you'll find out.

Don't wait to get to know them at their memorial.

Zelda Williams won't likely see this...

Zelda,

I am so sorry about the loss of your dad.  I'm also sorry for the crass and thoughtless comments I've heard you've received.

People who would make such comments are beneath your contempt and your decision to put aside your social media accounts is wise...beyond your years.

Please, as you heal, try to remember the strengths your dad had.  Yes, he made us laugh.  But there was much more to him than that.  He, along with a precious few others, knew how to make us laugh while also touching us deeply.  We could often identify with the characters.  When we laughed we laughed at ourselves.

Depression is a terrible, terrible thing and virtually no one is completely immune.  I can only imagine the depth of the pain your dad was experiencing and please know that his actions were not meant to hurt you or your family.

In time, you will be able to remember him for his greatness and some of the pain may subside.

Don't be afraid to talk frankly to a close friend.  Be open.  Your dad would want you to be happy and avoid the pain he felt.

Much love to you and your family...

FedEx delivery from heck.

Ok, here's the deal.

First off - it took forever to get logged on to this blog since I haven't done so in a while and Google has changed their logon procedure since my last.

This is probably a good thing since it gave me time to cool off...a bit.

So, I'm supposed to get a new  phone via FedEx.  (You probably already know where this is going.)

I figured, "no problem, they never get to my house until after I'm home anyway."

Ha.

The one time I have to actually sign for the package they get there at, like, noon.

So I thought "I'll just call and arrange to pick it up at the FedEx location."

Again, Ha.

The phone automatron made it clear that the package had to be signed for at the delivery location specified and that they would try again the next day.

Well, I won't be there tomorrow either!  It felt like an eerie combination of Catch 22 and Groundhog Day.

Finally reaching a human (who did his best to replicate the English language) and already at a frustration level of which I am not proud, I managed to explain my predicament to the gentleman who contacted the local FedEx facility (whilst I waited on hold) and finally assured me that I could, with enough ID to board an international flight, get my phone if I was willing to wait until near closing time.

In retrospect, why didn't I arrange to have the package delivered to my school?  Nah, that would have made WAY too much sense.