Skinned Heads and Air Fresheners

The life of a teacher…we invest large quantities of time in the lives of our students to one day watch them cross the stage, turn the tassel, and begin their new life. Such an occasion occurred last night. LMCS graduated its fourth class, a class full of nine boys and not one girl. As their homeroom teacher, I grew accustomed to their faces and their idiosyncrasies and now feel as though I should write such experiences down, change names to protect identities, and write a book. Oh the pages I could fill!

Where to begin…The first and definitely most eccentric of the bunch is unquestionably Robles with his spastic movements and original humor. His counter opposite and closest relative Bernuy—how many toys and trinkets did I confiscate over the past four years? Fewer than I should have to say the least. Then there was that crazy Mexican who refused to agree with me on just about anything for the sole purpose of having a good discussion. Emil should admit that I won the majority, actually probably all, of our arguments. I began to feel like their mom in many ways. Should I have been worried? Did anyone else see the signs and just not mention it to me?

Moving on…Just when I thought I was figuring them out, there was Brian to confuse me again with his mood swings. Even if I did have a lifetime to study him, he would never cease to confound me. He is not to worry though because Wong will probably never stop selling Glade sprays just in case he ever feels nostalgic. The mathematic whiz Josue, always the studious one, consistently desiring to help in something will be missed especially when I find myself walking around with huge piles of books. I must say, though, that I will not be pining for his singing. Now that Marcelo is not in school, perhaps he will have more time to dedicate to his physique, especially after that embarrassing arm wrestling loss to Mr. Pace. I suppose boys will always be boys.

I always appreciated Daniel’s height and his love for poetry. I must break the news to him, though, that “they” are not watching us; at least, I don’t think they are. Hoover will grow up to ask even more probing questions and to conquer the world of music. Last, but definitely not least, is Renato. Oh, what to say? Well, in spite of my uncontrollable laughter immediately after his shaved head, I must admit that he carried the skinned head look better than any of his classmates. What a strange tradition…

They surprised me last night with their speeches. I am convinced someone paid Brian to flatter LMCS; and I remain flabbergasted with the applause in my honor. Strange that someone calls on everyone to applaud you, yet that same person can’t have a face-to-face conversation with you. Interesting… While not many people could understand Renato, he still made us laugh. Hoover claimed they all loved me “in their own special way.” I am still trying to grasp that one. Oh, to truly understand love takes a lifetime. They made me smile, yet behind those smiles was—nay, is—a spirit of fear. Are they ready for the world? Is the world ready for them? Will they put into practice all that they have been taught? Have they adopted as their own the biblical perspective of which many of them spoke so eloquently?

I cannot answer such questions, but I can hope for that which I do not clearly see and patiently wait for it (Romans 8:25). I will hold to the promise that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). I will always love them; and even though they will now move to the list of “former students,” they will remain on my prayer cards.