In Praise of Incredible Women

In Praise of Incredible Women I am amidst a group of teachers each weekend that are incredible in their own talents and their dreams in so many ways. There are only five guys, so that leaves 20 plus incredible women, but this is not their story. Over the weekend, touching base with home with faster internet, I saw that Hayley Bokern, aka Meeko was having a graduation party this weekend. I decided to stay up, (okay I set an alarm) to call St. Louis, to wish her and her classmates a congratulation from a world away. The alarm went off at 11 pm (it is crazy, but I often go to bed before 9 pm in the village of Lacekocot) and I got up, got dressed, opened up my door, opened up the heavy metal door, and walked to the street to get better cell phone reception. We missed connections several times, so I had time to contemplate life, as for the first time, that I can remember the entire village was asleep, and I was standing by the road looking up at the beautiful stars of the Southern sky. I got through to Beanie (every student who has ever been on the Biloxi service trip has a nickname) and she told me she had not arrived at the party, so I went back to my room and tried to get a Cardinal score from internet reception that was not there. ___________________________________I was in trouble with my mother, because I had not posted a blog entry today, and I laid in my bed, thinking about how special Meeko, Beanie, and Ra$ha were to me. I am reminded of them several times a day, because they hijacked my iPad in Biloxi and changed my opening page to a goofy picture of themselves. I guess I could change it (I really don’t know how currently), but I have grown accustomed to having their goofy faces greet me several times a day. The Class of 2012 were the oldest class left in the school when I got kicked out the door, and I will remember how much they stood by me. I will remember a voice mail from Beanie that started out, “Mr. Magee, I know you told me to stay out of it, but….” I will remember Brennan and Colleen and so many others writing such an eloquent defense and questioning those in charge. Sister Barbara told the Class of 2012 that they had not really lived if they did not dissent and disagree. Of course, she was not too happy when these intelligent women disagreed with her. I will remember Molly and her t-shirt idea, and I will remember Erica and Madison rounding the corner in tears, when they heard me tell a wonderful young freshmen that I would not be there for the end of their journey. I cannot tell you how much the courage and intelligence of Zazu has meant to me in my life, or how much the tears rolling down the cheek of Lizzie in a Gazebo in Webster told me how much I was loved. This post may get long, because each line I write I remember one more person or one more event of the most wonderful people in the world, the Nerinx Hall Class of 2012. If I am not invited to your reunion in the next five years, we will have a better party at the Wine Bar afterwards. You are so special to me. I had to retell the story of little Samuel, the 2 ½ year old Angel I held in my arms before he died this weekend, and I will forever remember the voice of another Angel, Claire, who shows the world more kindness and love in a day then most people do in a year. Her best friend is Megan, or LifeSong, she was my advisee, and I will never forget her quiet drive to be the best person, best friend, and best student she could be. I am reminded of the Jessi and Brittany racing to erase the boards every other day, there way of making the ordinary—extraordinary. The quiet smile of Hannah and how cool it was that she went on Biloxi this year just creeped into my mind, as I think about what a special kid Amy W. is and will continue to be. (Microsoft Word does not like this sentence, but it is late and I do). Amy was responsible for giving me a black binder that would be the first thing I ran out of the house with, in case of a fire at my house. Janie, who looked at me like she was in trouble every conversation I started with her freshmen year, is a charm and such a blessing in my life. The notorious MGG and all the passion she came to Biloxi this year is amazing, and the fact that she brought her little sister this year and maybe Dad next year is such a gift to her family. If I sit down tomorrow, I could right this post with 22 different names and each of them would be special to me. Chimpf Chompf just jumped into my head, and her spirit and her goofiness made me laugh almost every day. The fact that her and Curli Locks and Juno (Emily M.) are some of the kindest people I have ever known. I got to watch them love each other and love the World (or at least one corner of the world ---just off Division street).__________________________________________________________ I never got to walk the halls with you your Senior Year, but you know and I know I was there every step of the way. “No wizard that there is or was”,---can ever change that. Tonight I congratulated Hayley on the phone, but as I tried to make that call I looked into the stars of the Southern sky. Most of you have never seen them, the beauty of the Southern Cross is amazing. Even more amazing was each star on a clear Ugandan sky reminded me of each of you. It stood there as a prelude to the journeys you will make and the new adventures you will have. You will do that, because in side of each of your special talents, is the ability to love and….. You, the Class of 2012, do that so well ! I know, because in my house I have a little black binder, and every time I open it love pours out._______________________________________ I just walked outside my room again to see the stars and think about how amazing you are. Each of you are my stars and I am going to sleep feeling that I am the most blessed man in the world.