A Conversation

A reader retired from private school life writes me:  "I have to tell you that I'm laughing out loud already, even though I just started your book."  (Two days pass) "Ok now I'm really laughing! You had to shave your legs and armpits as promised! I once offered to shave my head if they ever won the championship game.  It motivated them, but they still lost.  I kept my hair."  (Another day passes) "OMG we really have to talk one day. The name of our 5k running/walking team to raise money for cancer research is called the Forest Bathers!"  Another reader who teaches in public schools:  "I have stories, too, that will make you laugh.  My colleagues do as well. Could you please write them all down for us?  Let's talk!  We need these stories recorded.  This could be your next book." The community of teaching professionals may be fragmented by school, region, or philosophy, but there's a commonality of experiences.  One reader commen...

Did you see the movie? Three different former students texted me when "Nyad" came out on Netflix this year, and somehow I knew exactly which movie they were talking about.  Then Natalie texted: Emily, Fern, and I think she's badass, but not as badass as you. I sighed.  I was not as badass as the badass of all time in the water.  I don't blow a trumpet, and I don't swim over 100 miles in one workout.  I sent a text back with something to that effect.  But you beat that brain tumor.   It was hard to respond to that one.   You wrote to us when she completed the swim. Do you remember that?   I did not.  You sent us her three messages that she spoke on the beach when she finished. Oh yes, that sounds like me. Once a coach, always a coach. Those were good messages.  Her messages, paraphrased:  1. Never give up.  2. You're never too old.  3. Swimming is a team effort. 

 "You know, Cathy lives in Seoul," one of the women who swam on the team I coached in the 1980's reports.  I had seen Cathy's enthusiastic Facebook posts about being a swim coach, traveling internationally, and connecting well with high schoolers. There's little that energizes me more than seeing a former student take on a role similar to one I assumed, especially when she excels and moves beyond what I ever did.   Paul and I were traveling to Korea so he could participate in an international meeting in Busan. We were to fly in and out of Seoul, making our own way by train to the southeastern coast. It seemed like tacking on a day or two in Seoul could really happen.  I sent Cathy a Facebook message. Even though nearly thirty years had passed since I had seen her, I knew that we would jump right back into a friendship.  She answered my message immediately and began making plans.  Arrival at the security gate at the school, the official needed verificat...

I can't travel to the Pacific Northwest to witness Jack's ordination into the Catholic Deaconate in preparation for the priesthood, but he sends me a link. I'm really interested; I've been deeply moved to see his growth from a distressed fifteen-year-old to a thoughtful man leading a meaningful life of service. I also long to see how his story progresses beyond what I started to discuss in Backward and Blind,  so I click.  There's the image of a Renaissance painting on the static screen accompanied by the sound of a woman's voice, repeating a well-known verse.  " ...Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus,... "Hail Mary full of grace,...."  "...In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen..." ..."Blessed are you,..."  The gentle Hail Marys are spoken clearly, slowly, with feeling as I hear people filter into the chapel. I lose count at how many, it's clearly a delightfully calming routine that gathers us al...

Dana's family story is included near the end of Backward and Blind.   Since the birth of her two children, we've stayed in closer touch; I've so enjoyed seeing photos of the grins and growth of her son and daughter.  "I'd love to have you visit sometime," I said on the phone about a year ago.   "We'd love to see you too," Dana added.  "Albuquerque has an amazing hot-air balloon fiesta the first week of October, annually.  Upwards of five-hundred hot air balloons take off early in the morning -- we could go walk around as they set up and rise into the air.  The kids would love it."  I almost could hear her eyebrows rising.  "Google it," I suggested.   Several weeks later, she texted with dates.  "Are these dates okay for a visit?"   I was beside myself.  Dana was now a well-established mother, successful professional, and fun friend. She lives an airplane flight from my home city.  She'd really come visit her...

The stories in the book, Backward and Blind  (Available through Amazon ), are rooted in true events.  Over time, the tales morph a little with each telling. Further, names and some pieces of the stories are adjusted to maintain privacy and to protect the identity of the individuals in the book.   A few of the stories are yet to have endings about the featured vibrant young people.  The entries in this blog are intended to continue the stories beyond the text and whenever possible to answer the biggest question, "Where are they now?"  To that end, this blog is maintained with posts that update communications and interactions with former students identified in the book.  Another goal of this blog is include a conversation about the value of teaching. I plan to record relevant messages and thoughts I've received from readers.  This specific post answers common questions that arise from the stories in the text. Additional posts in this blog supplement...

Link to Jean A. Miller Mariner's webpage: www.JeanAMillerMariner.com   Raised in New England, Jean A. Miller Mariner moved to Colorado for her first teaching assignment at an independent residential high school. That led to more than thirty years at six different schools teaching middle-school through college-level math and psychology courses, all while rearing three children with her beloved husband. With a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Colorado College, she also coached swimming, math, and debate competitions; organized community service activities; served as a dorm parent; and wrote for a textbook company. Splitting her time between the mountains of rural Maine and the mountains of the southwest, she identifies as part Southwesterner and part New Englander. Now retired to a wealth of new life experiences, she has revived interests in writing, mountain biking, open water swimming, traveling, fabric arts, and volunteering for a local food pant...