A Night for Heroes

The 2013 100 Heroes honorees at the 3rd Annual Heroes Reception at the King Arts Center ballroom, Saturday  night, February 9, 2013.  The one hundred people recognized by my seventh and eighth grade students included a few world famous names such as Martin Luther King and Malala Yousafzai but also many lesser known, but perhaps even more influential local luminaries. Of the one hundred nominees we had 57 attend the reception--an excellent turn out.

Ever since 2009 when I first conceived the idea for 100 Heroes (modeled after Time Magazine's annual Time 100) I'd dream't of my students and I hosting a gala event to honor these heroes.  I looked at the pictures of Time's annual Time 100 Gala and imagined something just as glamorous and memorable for our own honorees.

A cross section of heroes: This segment of the group photo highlights the diverse group that made up this year's honorees.  In this photo are parents, grandparents, teachers, students, neighbors, pastors, public servants, and community activists (that's Marie Moreland in the upper center, a crucial figure in the revitalization of the historic American Addition neighborhood).  These are people who often go unrecognized by the world at large, even as they, through their everyday heroism, make it a better place.

For the first two years we gathered in the church gymnasium, and while we did our best to spruce it up with metal-looking plastic flatware, fancy paper plates, and heavy plastic tablecloths, it was still a gym. (Click here and here to read about our first two Heroes Receptions).  Our guests were still awed by the care and effort the students put in to creating a special evening, but we weren't satisfied.  We wanted to do more.

This past February we finally began to realize the dream.  This year for the first time we hosted our heroes in a real ballroom.  The tables were covered in real linen tablecloths, the professionally catered meal was served on real china and consumed with real silverware.  The heroes and their guests were waited on by uniformed waitstaff underneath shimmering lights.

Two former students from Columbus Adventist Academy enjoying their meal.  Both students, now high school sophomore, were 2012 honorees and now serve on the Heroes Board of Directors.  The Heroes Board serves to help my students realize their dreams for the Heroes Reception, and it's been great to have two  young people joining the team of adults on the Board.

The 7th and 8th grade class set a new bar in virtually every category.  The posters of the one hundred heroes were now displayed on standing easels rather than taped to the wall.

Reverend Bismark Akomeah, honored by one of my seventh grade students poses with his poster featuring his photo and the student's personal tribute to him.

The gift bags included smalls bottles of hand lotion donated by the Limited, Inc. as well commemorative pens and keychains in addition to the usual candies.  For the first time, we had soft music playing throughout the evening and several outstanding musical numbers from some of the heroes themselves.  Jonathan Nwabunike played a showstopping number on the saxophone, and Tamaria Kulemeka graced us with a beautiful vocal performance.

2013 honoree Jonathan Nwabunike

2013 Honoree Tamaria Kulemeka

  In addition several of the students shared their own musical talents.

This young man is actually a high school freshman but a graduate of Columbus Adventist Academy, and a 2013 Honoree nominated by his brother who is in the seventh grade.

This year we even had a professional photographer who took keepsake photos of the students with their heroes throughout the evening.

The highlight of the evening was the tributes.  This time with a good sound system and solid acoustics, each heartfelt tribute was heard with crystal clarity.  Particularly moving were El-ryck Kendrick's tribute to the Columbus Police department and Myia Ferguson's tribute to a former schoolmate who has battled through a number of crippling surgeries over the past few years.

El-Ryck with one of his heroes, a member of the Columbus Police Department

One of the students present her tribute to her heroes

We were honored by the presence of guests who traveled from out of state for the reception, including the founding principal  of Columbus Adventist Academy,Sharon Lewis who returned to Columbus for the event, and my own hero Mai-Rhea Odiyar who flew in all the way from Vancouver Canada.

My heroes, from left to right, master teacher Wayna Gray, resource teacher Pat Fountain, former student Benin Lee, my  mother-in-law Carol Leen, father-in-law Bill Leen, and friend and former colleague, Mai-Rhea Odiyar.  I've been recognizing the heroes in my life for the past seven years and each year I invite a handful of them to join my students and me in our annual celebration.

All in all it was a truly memorable night, one I know none of us will ever forget.  And yet as amazing as our third annual Heroes Reception, I have even bigger dreams for the fourth reception coming up in February 2014.  Even as we wrap up the first quarter of the school year, the students have already selected their heroes and written first drafts of their tributes.  Our goal is to be able to provide a truly special notification to each hero this fall of their nomination  to accompany the official invitation to the reception. We hope to be able to create a keepsake book featuring the tributes and accompanying photos of all 100 heroes that can be included in the gift bags.

The students have also chosen their planning committees too.  Some will be responsible for designing the invitations,others will take charge of planning the program, choosing the caterer and menu, determining the decorating scheme, and organizing every other aspect of the evening from gifts to music.  In the coming weeks we'll be scouting locations and sampling from caterers in effort to raise the high bar we've already set even higher.

And of course the students are working hard to raise funds to pay for this glamorous evening.  The 8th grade class will donate a good chunk of the funds that might otherwise go to their end of the year class trip (Last year's class spent almost everything they'd raised to pay for the Reception, and then started all over again to raise the money for their trip to Canada).  In addition the Heroes Board members and I will be looking for individuals and organizations interested in supporting the Heroes Reception.  If you are such an individual I encourage you to contact me at maycocksean@hotmail.com and let me know how you'd like to help.

The reality is most of the heroes that make this world a better place, who change the world one life at a time, will never grace the pages of a national news magazine.  They won't be feted by celebrities at diamond-studded celebrations. But our goal with the annual Heroes Reception is to let our heroes feel, if only for one night, as important, honored, and influential as they actually are.

A hero poses with her tribute

Dr. Donald Burden and the student who nominated him

The students presented their tributes in a variety of ways.  This student wrote a poem, entitled "Blossoming," and created an illustration to go with it, to express how her heroes have enabled her to blossom and grow.

I present a bouquet to my father-in-law, during my turn to pay tribute to my heroes

Reunions

It's been about two months since we returned from our annual visit with my mom's family in Florida, and more than a month since my dad's family held their family reunion.  That means that this blog is long overdue.  But my life is such right now that blogging time is harder to come by then it's ever been.  The chances of completing this entry in one sitting are slim at best, as I've got two little boys playing nearby as I type.  We'll see how it goes.

Our annual family photo, taken Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Anna Maria Island, FL.  This year grandma, who will turn 90 next month, joined us for the occasion

The Maycock-Benson family reunion in Huntsville, Alabama. Sunday, August 18, 2013.  I along with my cousin Denny, Chuck Dudley and several others are in the photo virtually.  Look closely for the laptop just behind my grandmother who celebrated her 96th year, and who is the person on the right in green.

One of the nicest things about this summer has been the reunions. It was such a  joy to see and spend time with family members and old friends.

Two of my favorite moments were with my brother and sister. As adults we live in separate worlds much of the time; a far cry from our childhood days when it seemed every waking moment was spent together (and every sleeping moment too...given that we three shared a bedroom at my grandparents home on 905 Hart Blvd). The moments where we slip back into sibling camaraderie are rare, precious, and unplanned.  One afternoon, for reasons I can't remember the three of us ended up of us gathered around my mom's workstation in her office area, chatting about old childhood memories.  I can't remember now what we talked about, but I do remember the feeling of closeness I had with Vince and Dawn; the unique closeness that comes from shared history.  I wonder if they remember that brief twenty minutes or so the way I do?

This photo of my mom and my siblings hangs in my mom and grandma's office space.  It was taken in the summer of 1992, not long before I went off to college.

We sought to recreate that same photo 21 years later.  We took this photo on Monday, July 29, 2013, just a few minutes before Babs, the boys, and I began the long drive back to Ohio after a wonderful, restful two weeks with my family.

The second incident, I know they remember as it was much more exciting! A snake had gotten into the room where my oldest son sleeps in my mom's house and armed with brooms and our wits, the three of us came together to drive the intruder out.  Even as we skittered after the snake, I felt a wonderful sense of closeness to my brother and sister. I'd like more moments like these, but at least so far, I'm not sure how to manufacture them.  They seem to just materialize organically when we are together, and for now the best I can do is be mindful enough to notice them when they happen and appreciate them--and Vince and Dawn--for the treasure they are.




Here's a few other reunions of note from this past summer:

On our way back from Anna Maria Island we stopped off in Tampa to spend a few hours with our Saipan friends the Piersons.  Unfortunately, we missed Ken who was away on a bike trip, but it was so nice to catch up with Crystal and her girls.  We've been lucky enough to see the Pierson family just about every summer for the past few years.  Seeing them is like getting a little piece of our island home, and I hope the trend of our summer meetups continue.

You already know she's one of my heroes, but she's also a great friend.  It was wonderful to see Heather Rice, her husband Jerry, and their three boys.  This photo was taken at the first of two visits I had with Heather while in Florida.

At our second visit with Heather, we were joined by some of my oldest and best friends, Greg Wedel (center) and Chris Cotta (right) and his wife Carissa and two of their three kids.  Greg and I get together every time I'm in Florida but I hadn't seen Chris in something like ten years, ever since he and Carissa decamped for Alaska.

Chris is one of the smartest and most interesting people I've ever known.  He is one of the few people I know who really knew what they wanted out of life and actually made it happen.  It was really rewarding to talk with him again after all these years.  Hopefully it won't be another decade before our paths cross again.

Paul Wood is my oldest friend.  I've known him since the third grade and he's been faithful through thick and thin.  We'd missed connecting the past few times I'd been in Florida so I was quite happy that he joined us for Sabbath lunch our last weekend in Florida.  Unfortunately, we didn't think to take any pictures that day, so snipped this photo from his Facebook page.  We enjoyed an afternoon of swapping stories and laughs.  Paul is a pilot (the other person in my life, who like Chris, knew from childhood what he wanted to be in life, and made it happen) so hopefully he'll fly our way sometime for a visit!

I've never known my dad's side of the family well.  They know me, but until recently the reverse has not held true.  This has led to some truly awkward phone calls, visits, and Facebook friendships where it was clear that the person initiating contact knew who I was, while I couldn't quite place them.  I've enjoyed getting to know the Maycock family in recent years, and I really appreciated being able to attend the Maycock-Benson family reunion via Skype on the weekend of August 17-18.  A big thank you to my cousin Jason for going the the extra mile so that those of us unable to be there physically could also take part.

Jason working out the kinks of our Skype connection, Sunday, August 18, 2013

Getting ready to join the family photo via Skype as the laptop is carried out to the photo site in the backyard of Uncle Antoine and Aunt Connie's house.

Well, I did it in a single day, if not in a single sitting. Not bad!

This is 40

"For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He known your wanderings through this great wilderness.  These forty years the Lord our God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing."
                                                                                                --Deuteronomy 2:7

At 40, on August 3, 2013 with one of the 40+++++++++ blessings I've experienced over the past four decades

This is my story, this is my song.  God has been good to me.  Today I celebrated my 40th birthday and I couldn't be more grateful for the twists and turns that have brought me this far in my journey.  In looking back here are 40 blessings from the past 40 years.

1.On August 3, 1973 I was  born in Portland, Oregon in the U.S.A.  There are many wonderful places around the world, but it's been a blessing to be born a citizen of this country.  The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages as far as I'm concerned.  And I get to claim Oregon as my home state and Oregon is just so cool!

2. My share of "baggage" has been manageable. Everyone has their share of childhood pain, I believe and I'm no exception.  But I'm blessed to be happy and at peace at forty.  I've been able to let go, able to forgive.  I have a talking relationship with my dad.

3. I was blessed with three great siblings.  Though we lost my youngest sister Julie just a few short weeks after she was born, I've never forgotten about her, and I now have an extra special reason to look forward to heaven.  And my brother Vince and sister Dawn provided the lions share of the joy in my life during my childhood.

4. My mom Rosalind Maycock worked from home growing up so she was always there when we needed her.  It was always so soothing to go to sleep hearing her typing on the computer in the next room.

5. I lived in a big old house on 905 Hart Blvd in Orlando, Florida for five years with my grandparents William and Enid Thomson and cousins living just a few miles away.

6. I was raised as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.  Though, as a child it was all I knew, and I wouldn't truly choose and own the faith until I was older I'll always considering growing up in our unique spiritual culture to be a blessing.

7. I have really cool uncles Roland and Robert, that I grew up admiring and wanting to emulate.

8. I learned to love to read early on and started writing stories early on.

9. I started a journal in 1985 when I was just shy of 12 years old and I've been writing ever since.

10. Paul Wood, Christi Snell, and Angie Loveridge--the best friends I could have asked for in elementary school, even though I didn't know it at the time.

11. My mom forced me to go Forest Lake Academy my freshman year instead of finishing out Orlando Junior Academy in the 9th grade.  Only later would I understand how important it was for me to move on from OJA (though my mom just liked that FLA was right around the corner from our house and meant a shorter commute)

12. J Micheal Carlos.  We met when we were 15 years old in Mrs. Gish's earth science class.  Been friends ever since.

13. I was able to maintain good grades for the most part throughout my elementary and high school years, and earned a four year scholarship to Andrews University because of my SAT scores.

14. Chris Cotta, Greg Wedel.  Everyone needs good friends in high school.  I was lucky to have more than a few.  But these two were some of the best.

15. God preserved me through a bought of depression during my senior year of high school and changed the direction of my life through one phone conversation with J Carlos in the summer of 1992

16. I was able to go to Andrews University.  We get a few opportunities to reinvent ourselves in life.  This was one of mine.

17. Kim Juhl.  I don't know that she knows the blessing she was and I'm sure I didn't know it at the time , but nevertheless. . .

18. As part of my four year scholarship I was hired to work for the Behavioral Sciences Department my sophomore year.  I worked there for the rest of my time at Andrews University and was mentored by Dr. Edwin Hernandez and Dr. Oystein LaBianca.

19. In the spring of 1994 I experienced a revolution in my spiritual journey and began, I think, my real adult relationship with Jesus Christ.  It was quiet change in many ways, but it lasted in a way that those "week of prayer" style conversions never did.

20.  In the spring of 1994 I took a trip to Texas.  That trip was the catalyst for some major and much needed growth and change in my life.

21. J and I decided to become student missionaries and decided to take calls as 6th and 5th grade teachers respectively at Chuuk SDA School.  The 1994-1995 school year changed the course of my life forever and was truly the hardest and best year I've ever lived.  In a life of mountaintop experiences nothing has approached the emotional pinnacle of that year.

22. Barbara Leen.  I met her in the fall of 1995 and we've been hanging out ever since.  She is the best person in my life and ever since I met her I've never felt lonely. To quote the immortal Carly Rae Jepson "Until you came into my life, I missed you so bad."  Many times in the years prior to meeting her I thought I knew who and what I wanted.  Praise God he saved me from my foolish wishes.

23. I was part of the planning team for the Go'97 Missions Conference.  Those few days at the end of 1996 and the beginning of 1997 were probably the most beautiful spiritual experience of my life.

24. Barbara said yes!  July 27, 1997 we sealed the deal in a wonderful wedding surrounded by family and great friends.  One of the happiest days of my life.

25.  I got wonderful in-laws in Bill and Carol Leen and sister-in-law Jenny.  You know all those stories you hear about the "in-laws."  I never understood those stories and for that I'm very grateful.

26. Babs talked me into becoming a teacher and I graduated with my degree in education in the spring of 1998.

27. We took the call to Saipan in 1998. Our life in Saipan was one I didn't have the sense enough to dream for myself.

28. I got travel, some during college to Europe and extensively while we lived in Saipan including Australia (3 times), Bali, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore.

29. I was able to form a traveling drama ministry, REAL Christian Theater with Aaron Knowlton and Kathy Stair that toured for nine years and made a lifelong impact not so much on our audiences but on the kids we worked with.  I got to see several of the plays I wrote come to life on stage with REAL too which was also very rewarding.  The tours to Guam, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Rota, and Australia were high points.

30.I was able to co-write and direct my own television series, and the pilot, at least made it on the air.

31. Dan Shor.  His mentorship in film and television were so rewarding.  Acting in his TV pilot State of Liberty was a lot of fun.

32. Vince Asanuma got me into running.  Mai Rhea Odiayr, Judith Edwards,  and Jessica Lee made it fun.  Ken Pierson helped me take it to the next level.

33. I started a blog.  And you are reading it!

34. Grant Graves.  They say that the best friends you'll ever have in life you make in high school.  They were wrong.  I met Grant in 2006.  He was instrumental in helping me realize that even as an adult, life is an adventure.

35. The kids.  Before I had my own--and after--the kids I taught have richly blessed me.  From that first class of fifth graders at Chuuk SDA School through the class of 2013 at Columbus Adventist Academy, the kids have consistently been a source of joy and deep reward. (And knowing so many of them now as adults is an additional blessing)

36. Elijah William Maycock was born August 31, 2008.  There is no blessing quite like your own child.

37. We decided to leave Saipan after more than a decade.  Though we miss Saipan and the friends we made there, moving to Ohio has been the best decision we've made and not a day goes by that I'm not glad we're here.

38. Our dear friends, the Paez family moved to the U.S. at the same time as we did and we were able to continue to maintain our friendship with Carol and the kids through the annual visits to Oregon.

39. I got a job at Columbus Adventist Academy.  I had assumed that the days of deeply rewarding teaching at an Adventist school with a mission were behind me when we moved back to the States.  Praise God I was wrong.

40. Ezra Thomson Maycock was born November 20, 2012.  After the miracle of our firstborn I didn't know how God could create another one that would measure up, but he did!

On my fortieth birthday I am alive, in excellent health, with peace of mind and great joy in my life. I have good friends, a loving family and more blessings than I can count in a lifetime.  Indeed, as I look back I know that I have lacked nothing these forty years in the wilderness of this world.  Now as I look ahead to the next forty, I know that whatever comes He who has led me so far, will lead me all the way.

Just a handful of friends in Columbus were on hand to share the sentiment with me in person, but I've felt the love from precious people from all four decades of my wonderful life across the country and around the world.  Thank you!

Beach Therapy: Anna Maria Island Family Vacation 2013

I can't tell you what a tonic it was to drive across the bridge on to Anna Maria Island after an aborted departure due to a car break down, over $600 in repairs, and twenty hours on the road.  We pulled up at around 5:30 P.M. Monday evening at the Anna Maria Island Inn (our third year in a row at this wonderful property; it looks we've got a tradition going!) and literally got right into the water.  The rest of the family was already there: Uncle Roland and Aunt Colleen, cousins Landon and Nicole, along with her son, Grandma, Mom, Vince, Dawn & Jim and the kids, and we couldn't wait to join them.

Our oldest son racing down to the beach just minutes after we arrived on Monday evening, July 15, 2013.

What a joy to rest in the soothing water as the sun dropped low on the horizon.  What a pleasure to gather around the table for a meal with all the family, to just sit and enjoy their company. In a very busy summer that was less time off and more of change of venues for work, this was the long-awaited rest, the real vacation.

But the next morning, after sleeping late to recover from the drive (I drove through the night and slept for only a few hours in the morning while Barbara drove, before I took the wheel again for the remainder of the night), I found my beach buzz seemed to be slipping away.  There were a few reasons, the chief of which was the ongoing debates on Facebook about the verdict in the Zimmerman trial which had concluded only a few days earlier.  One particular post really bugged me and left me feeling hurt and stressed.  I realized two things.  One, I needed something to soothe my frayed nerves. And two, I needed to take a break from Facebook and Interference and all the other usual online activities that took up my time.  The latter was simply a decision.  I made it and I honored it, ignoring the Facebook notifications and my e-mail inbox for the rest of our time at Anna Maria Island, only checking in Thursday evening when we returned to Orlando.

The former, the balm for my soul came in the form of a jaunt on my cousin Landon's sea kayak. He was getting ready to head back to Orlando, but offered to go out on the kayak one more time, if anyone was interested.  I jumped at the chance, and after lunch, we headed out.  It was just what I needed.  The quiet of the sea, the rhythmic pull of the paddles, the vista of the island when we looked back--so reminiscent of my Saipan days, swimming out to the tank and looking back on the shore.  Landon and I talked easily and enjoyed silence as well.  I don't know how long we were out, it can't have been more than 30 minutes or so, but it was enough to restore my spirit.  The perfect capstone to the moment was seeing dolphins,surfacing both in the distance and just a few lengths from our kayak.  An afternoon storm was brewing and Landon had to get work, so we paddled back as the first drops of rain began to fall.

My cousin Nicole posted this photo on Instagram of her brother and I after our sojourn on  the sea in his kayak

The rest of our time at the beach, and indeed our entire vacation in Florida was restful, restorative, and just plain wonderful.  For the stresses and strains of daily life I can attest that, if you can swing it, there's nothing quite like a little beach therapy.

My brother-in-law Jim and I with all the kids--our sons and my cousin Nicole's son. The Anna Maria Island Inn has a pool too, at additional units located across from the beachside units we stayed in. Uncle Roland & Aunt Colleen had a unit adjoining the pool, and we spent a lot of time back and forth between the pool and the ocean.

Our youngest napping on the beach.  His onesie says it all.

We're not dressed up, our hair isn't done, but this is one of my favorite pictures of our little family.

On our last night at Anna Maria Island, Wednesday, July 17, 2013, we got the gang together for our annual family photo.  The Official Photo will appear on this blog in an upcoming post. Below are some outtakes from that photo session that Barbara grabbed with the phone on her camera.

I know our little one looks a little silly in this picture, but I love Barbara's eyes in this photo!

Me and my little boy.  As part of my beach relaxation, I decided not shave during our time by the sea so I was looking suitably scruffy by the time this photo was taken.

The Seventh Annual Inspirations List: 2013

Though this years list of of heroes developed gradually over the course of the year, each individual name came to me quickly. Three I know well, two I've never met. But all five I  instantly knew would make this years list.

It's a wide-ranging group, this quintet of inspirational people in my life.  From a world-class surfer to a world-class teacher, from a working mom to a standout student to gregarious gentleman in many ways they couldn't be more different from each other.  But one thing these four men and one woman have in common:  they have inspired me, motivated me, and made my life brighter and--if I can rise to their example--better as well.

As always each person on this list will be invited to attend the annual Heroes Reception that my students and I will be hosting early next year.  They will be joined by up to 95 other inspirational individuals nominated by my students as their heroes at an elegant evening in honor of the heroes among us.

My heroes for 2013 are:

Garrett McNamara
Dr. Todd Whitaker
Tasheet Wallang
Marc Lavalas
Heather Rice

Garrett McNamara
I'm inspired by his search for the next big wave

They say there is a time for everything.  But for a guy like Garrett McNamara the timeline so many others are on doesn't apply.  In a week, I'll be forty and for many people, that number is the pinnacle--after that you're "over the hill."  The body isn't what it once was.  It's too late to change. The time to act is when you're young and blah, blah, blah. I even found myself wondering if there was still time left for me to do great things in my life.  And then I saw this picture in Time magazine:

I was so struck by this dramatic image of man surfing a record-breaking 100 ft wave that I decided to do a little research on the insane surfer tackling this monster.  I expected to find some dude in his mid-twenties and instead I found Garrett McNamara, 45 years old and one of the top big wave surfers in the world.  This is a guy five or six years older than me and far from over the hill--instead, he's still climbing, still hungry for that peak that no one else has summitted.  Far from in the twilight of his career, McNamara is on the hunt for new accomplishments, bigger waves, the outer limits of what can be done on a board in the midst of the sea at its most powerful.  In Garrett McNamara I see what I want to be as I enter the fourth decade of my life: passionate, dedicated, not wrapping it up but just getting started.  If there is a time for everything, then right now is the time to catch the biggest wave yet.

Todd Whitaker
I'm inspired by his compassionate, common-sense approach to teaching

"How did I never think of this when I've known this all along?"  I have that feeling a lot when I read Dr. Todd Whitaker's books or hear him speak.  The man is a common sense genius.  Treat people with respect and decency.  The goal is to get students to learn and grow, and in the context of classroom management, to change bad behavior.  All obvious right?  What's not so obvious is how many things we teachers do in our classrooms everyday that are actually antithetical to those goals, and that's where Dr. Whitaker's genius comes in.  In his books including "What Great Teachers Do Differently" and "What Great Principals Do Differently" as well as his seminars, Whitaker breaks down common classroom practices that are often doing the opposite of what we intend,  ideas like "start with the positive when delivering bad news" or "lectures are a poor instructional strategy".  Even better he shows what the very best teachers are doing that makes a difference.  And the best thing about all of this is that he delivers his lessons with such humor, humility, and respect that you're not just motivated to change but inspired to believe that you can.  I find many books by teaching gurus to be actually a little overwhelming and even depressing: "How can I ever do all of this?" I find myself thinking.  But every time I pick up a Whitaker book, I put it down feeling inspired and encouraged that I can really do this.  I can be more than good teacher, I can be a great one.

Tasheet Wallang
I'm inspired by his transformation

Tasheet has always been an amazing young man.  It just took him--and a lot of the people around him--a little while to figure that out. Tasheet had about as rough a start as any kid I've ever seen when he arrived at CAA midway through his fifth grade year.  Peers, teachers, principal, parents--he seemed to clash with them all and there were many that would have dismissed not just Tasheet, but his entire class, who as a group were infamous in our school.  But those people would have been wrong.  This rough-around-the-edges, rowdy group transformed themselves in their final year at CAA becoming a success story like nothing I've ever seen outside the movies.  And Tasheet led the way.

My favorite thing this past year was to watch Tasheet lead in our morning worship.  This guy, who might later that day be reprimanded for being too loud in the hallway or get involved in another spat with the class president, was, for the moment, transformed.  He spoke with ease and confidence, and often at length, about his real experience as a struggling, growing Christian.  He preached a gospel we saw being lived out, warts and all, everyday.  In Tasheet I saw myself--and all of us: far from perfect, still prone to fall, but still growing and transforming nonetheless by the grace of God.  I often privately referred to my class this year as the twelve disciples (for most of the year there were actually twelve), and among them, Tasheet is like Peter at the end of the gospels, and just as Acts is about to get started, with the best still to come.

Marc Lavalas
I'm inspired by his good cheer

Marc always seems happy to see you, ready with a handshake and a hug, if you'll let him. His positive attitude and joyful approach to life is unforced and genuine, and that makes him a pleasure to be around. I've known Marc for four years and in that time I've never known him to have an unkind word to say about anyone, never known him to get negative or gossip, never known him to complain. He has a ready smile, a natural laugh, and a welcoming spirit.  Marc seems to have taken Jesus at His word, "that My joy may be in you and your joy may be full."   As a result, I find that not only does he always seem happy to see me, I'm always gladdened to see him.

Heather Rice
I'm inspired by her humor and honesty.

Photo Credit: Bryan Storey

I don't know how she does it.  When I say that I don't mean, I don't know Heather Rice manages to be wildly successful  photographer and wrangle three energetic boys (though I don't know how she does that either).  There are many women who manage a similar balancing act though few do it with the candid humor and unvarnished grace that Heather does.   But what amazes me about Heather is her ability to be so frank about the trials and triumphs of daily life and yet somehow remain so funny, encouraging, and just plain enjoyable.  I've never met anyone who could turn a gripe into a laugh-out-loud anecdote that improbably leaves me feeling a little brighter.  Heather is the one exception to my rule about telling it like it is, and I think that's because she has a genuine love and compassion for others, she doesn't take herself too seriously, she loves to laugh, and she's made it a point to live her life to the fullest.  I've known Heather Rice for more than twenty years and I've been pleased that our casual acquaintance in high school has developed into a lifelong friendship. I may not know how she does it, but I'm just glad she's doing it and sharing her journey with us.

The Summer Job

Ready for work!

When I walked out of the Albertsons Food & Drug Store at the corner of State Road 434 and Wekiva Rd in Longwood, FL at the end of August 1995, I never imagined I'd return someday.  I figured the days of working the summer job were just about over for good.

And yet, here I am in the summer of 2013, a family man pushing forty and I'm back.  Not at Albertsons, but back in the grocery store, a Kroger right around the corner from home, working the summer job.

Ever since we moved to Columbus, I'd entertained the thought of earning a little extra money during the summer.  But I hadn't really needed to--with Babs working at the daycare center straight through the summer and my checks spread out over 12 months, the income had remained steady throughout the year.  I had pursued a little tutoring as an added buffer but beyond that there'd been no need.

Well, times have changed.  With two little mouths to feed and Babs now unemployed during the summer months, extra income is no longer a nice plus but a necessity.  And while tutoring pays very well, when it pays, I needed some regular income to help us make it through the lean summer season.  So in May of this year I put in my application at Kroger for a job as a night cashier.  It was the perfect fit, working from 5:15 P.M. to 1:15 A.M., thus keeping my days free to spend with my family and to keep up with the small string of tutoring gigs I'd lined up.  I was hired in due course, and in mid-June my summer job began.

By the time I completed my training and really started working regular hours, I only had four weeks left until we departed for our annual trip to Florida to see my family, so I tried to maximize my availability as much as possible during that time.  We adjusted our plans for the fourth of July so that I'd be available to work, and indeed I spent Independence Day working a 3 to 11 shift.

My view of the fireworks on July 4, 2013

So how did it feel to go back to the summer job at the grocery store?  It was a little odd at first.  I felt a little as if I was going backwards--working for the hourly wage, struggling to learn the produce codes and the secrets of the U-Scan (before I started working at Kroger, I thought the U-Scan attendents had the easiest job in the world.  To my untrained eye they seemed to be just loitering around to make sure nobody stole anything  while we customers scanned and bagged our own groceries.  Now I no better.  Toughest job on the front end, in my opinion).  And the music didn't help.  I was astounded to discover that the same tunes that filtered through the sound system between 1989 and 1995 were still softly playing in 2013.  "If You Asked Me To" and "Here and Now" and "Nothing Compares 2 U".  It was surreal.  Still, it wasn't bad at all and it got better quickly.  The produce codes started coming--bananas once again was the first code I learned.  I got a handle on the U-Scan quickly and while I still tend to have more questions than the veterans I have patient front end managers who are more than willing to help me learn.  And it felt good to walk out of the store at the end of the night knowing I'd logged some hours that would help my family meet the bottom line.

I enjoyed getting to know my co-workers.  The three closers responsible for training me, N. the aspiring science teacher and committed Christian, J., the cleaning ninja (closing cashiers are responsible for cleaning the front end) and substitute teacher with a passion for Brit Lit, and J.H., the amiable master of the U-Scan  and soon-to-be accountant, were outstanding teachers, each in their own way.  I learned so much from each of them and deeply admired their passion for doing their work well.  The other cashiers, the courtesy clerks, the friendly but professional management team are great to work with.  It really is an enjoyable place to work and I always look forward to my hours at the store.  The only hard part is when it's slow and the time seems to drag.  I much prefer a busy day where customers come through one after the other and the time flies.  It's helpful that closing the store is actually a lot of work.  During my last week before we left for Florida I started closing on my own without a trainer and I was racing to get everything done--the cleaning of the registers, the restocking of the bags, the U-Scan audit, plus helping any customers that came through as I was the only cashier in the store.  Even with few customers late at night, it kept the time moving quickly.

A few things have changed some in the 18 years since I last worked in the grocery business.  Obviously there is the aforementioned U-Scan which didn't exist.  Probably the biggest change is that virtually everyone pays with plastic now.  Cash customers are occasional and people paying with checks are rarer still.  That's the reverse of what it was when I was last a cashier.  The registers are "smarter" than they were.  But beyond that the job is basically the same:  Provide, quick, friendly service to each person who walks in the door.

I'm in Florida now on vacation with my family and school starts in exactly three weeks, so my time at Kroger is about to severely curtailed. Still I hope to snag a few more hours late next week, and I'll stay on for awhile working on Sundays and on the holidays when they'll have me.  And for the next few summers at least while the kids are young and Babs is at home, I hope, I'll continue on at Kroger bringing in some extra cash for the family and striving to do what I do in my regular job:  bring my very best.

My Template for the Next Fifty Years: 90 Years Young

William F. Leen, 90 years young on June 5, 2013 (Photo taken at his 90th birthday party, Sunday, June 9, 2013)

My father in-law celebrated his 90th birthday this past June 5, 2013. We held a little party in his honor the following weekend on Sunday, June 9.
,
Ninety years is a long time!  But dad sure has made it look good.  His mind is sharp, his health is good, and his spirits are as positive as they've always been in the 18 years I've known him.  I look at him at 90 and I see a template for what I'd like to be in fifty years (assuming the Lord doesn't return first):

Dad raking the lawn of excess mown grass on the morning of his 90th birthday party. 

He's still active.  Dad is not content to sit around and watch TV.  He likes to be active, up and about, doing things.  He works around the house and yard.  He exercises daily with a small set of dumbbells and has even taken up a mild running regimen. I may not be running 10Ks or half marathons (or maybe I will) but if I'm at least as active as dad as in fifty years, I'll be doing pretty good.

Dad with his best friend from high school, Charlie Whistler

Dad is a quiet guy but he manages to stay in touch with a few close friends.  One of his best friends from high school, Charlie Whistler came to his party and they seemed to just pick up where they left off.  Dad said he made a special effort to spend most of his time at the party with Charlie as he knew Charlie wouldn't know anyone else there.  What a friend!  I hope in fifty years, I'll still be in touch the good friends I have now.

Dad and Mom Leen

 Dad's still married to the same girl he fell in love with almost fifty years ago.  That's my plan too.

The Leen Family

Dad's got two daughters.  I've got two sons.  I hope I'll be able to put my arms around my two kids when I"m ninety too.

Dad's birthday pies.  Dad loves pie, especially apple and pumpkin, so I made him these two apple pies and a pumpkin pie (not pictured) for his birthday celebration.

 Dad takes joy in the little things of life, like a good crossword puzzle or a slice of pie.  Dad's a simple man.  He doesn't require a lot of fuss.  He likes plain, simple food, and doesn't need a lot of flash and razzle-dazzle to be entertained.  I hope that I can learn to take pleasure in simple things too and truly savor each moment in life over the next fifty years.  I also hope I still like pie as much when I'm 90 as he and I both do today!

Most important--and this can't be pictured, only experienced when you have the good fortune to spend time with him--is dad's gentle, Christ-like spirit.  Dad is a man of deep faith, but he's never let religion get in the way of his connection to Jesus or his treatment of his fellow man.  He's the kindest person I've ever met.  He shows a genuine interest in other people like few others I've ever encountered.  He is humble and generous in spirit.  He is patient and loving.  He is everything I hope to be not just when I'm 90, but right now.

Happy birthday Dad!  And  may you have many, many more.

Some pictures from Dad's 90th birthday celebration:

The cake, with exactly 90 candles on it.

Lighting ninety candles took awhile. . .

Dad's cake aflame.

It took more than one blast, but Dad actually managed to blow out all the candles.  The candles burned so fast however, that we had to wait until he blew them out before singing "Happy Birthday" and even then, half the cake was covered in melted wax.  Maybe a literal ninety candles wasn't such a good idea after all!

Mom Leen and her sisters.  I believe they all came to the party except one that lives on the West Coast.

Hanging out with Leens on the front lawn.  The whole party was classic Bill Leen.  Simple food, not a lot of commotion, just the simple, deep joy of being with people you love.

Two of my heroes:  Dad with his brother-in-law, Gene Brock.   Check out my 2007 and 2009 Heroes blogs to find out why each of these great men of the Greatest Generation are my heroes.  Dad's last remaining sibling, his little sister (and Uncle Gene's wife) Betty passed away this past April.

Dad with his family: neices, nephews, brother-in-law, grandchildren, daughters, wife.  He is a blessed man and we are blessed to have him in our lives.