Carpe Diem

 I’m thinking about Mr. Richards, my tenth grade Global Studies teacher. His class was during a key year of history: 1989-1990. With the fall of communism, the world was our textbook. He was so passionate about showing us patterns in humanity.

In any case, he retired the year I graduated and at the Honors Assembly, he gave the key speech. Mr. Richard’s used the phrase “carpe diem” and it was clear he meant it.
Right after graduation, he had a stroke and shortly thereafter died. It was heartbreaking for many people who spoke about the tragedy of reaching retirement, suddenly becoming free, and then dying before really living.
Nothing is certain. I may live another thirty years or the world may take me sooner. There is so much out of anyone’s control. I am sad Mr. Richards didn’t get to seize even more days.
However, I also don’t think he planned to first start living after leaving Garden City High School. I think he lived every day, and if he cared about teaching half as much as I do, he loved every day.
Yes, teaching can be exhausting. Some requirements and interactions can bog you down. That’s called being alive— a mentor of mine called it “noise”.
Teaching, though, is such a calling, a meaningful and eternal and sometimes noble career. I think about all the lives I am lucky to connect with. I think about all the possibility, all the humor, all the genuine moments of connection.
I don’t need to wait for my life. I’m lucky. I live it every day.

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