Well, it's the week after Labor Day, so we know that it means - the start of another school year! It has been a flurry of activity in the neighborhood. All of the kids have been getting in their last dose of summer vacation, which has meant the laughter and screaming from the neighborhood kids has been at an all time high in the past few days. The warm weather and sunshine had them enjoying their last "freedom rides" on their bikes! On Wednesday, as I left for work, the bus drove through the neighborhood and I'll admit - I cried and I don't even have kids, let alone ones that are heading off to school. It made me think of Josh's first day of school when he started at Barry, how I took a picture of him, and how every year, his excitement grows for the start of the year.
It's hard knowing that Josh is missing out on this big moment in a job that he absolutely loves. At the same time, this hopefully marks the start of the final school year that will be interupted with the National Guard/Army trainings and deployment. This is now his 7th year of teaching where he has had to leave either for a long weekend of training, basic training, annual training, or in this case a deployment at one point or more throughout the school year. The 2009 - 2010 school year will be exciting. He'll get a full year in the classroom, the first time since the 2001 - 2002 school year when he was in Bogata, Colombia.
Being in Afghanistan, Josh has had a very eye opening experience. In any difficult situation, we all learn (intentionally or not) about our strengths, weaknesses, what we are passionate about and what we may or may not want to do down the road. I have mentioned from time to time on the blog, and some of you know from knowing Josh before the deployment what his intentions were for enlisting in the Guard - to help his country. Josh saw 9/11 from another continent and when he returned he thought it was his duty to serve. Though it does not alter Josh's committment to his truck, platoon, unit or the mission in Afghanistan, Josh will openly admit that the Army "isn't his thing." He is very grateful for the opportunity to serve and how it challenged him. Perhaps if he had a different job or role, something where he feels he would make a bigger impact, then it might be different. As he said in the post from last week, "If nothing else, I taught this one village how to get in a line one behind the other. My great contribution to the war on terror and counterinsurgency. haha. I would like to introduce modern toiletry products such as antipersperant. I searched more than one individual with the "dam has broken" sweaty pits. haha. Personnel searches-definitely drew the short straw on that one."
Through his time over there, he has discovered how much he misses and truly loves, and I mean LOVES, his job as a teacher and especially a kindergarten teacher. Not that it was ever a question before he left, but on several occassions in the last few months, something to the effect of "I have a job I really love at home" has been expressed in an e-mail or phone conversation.
Our oldest nephew, Dominic, headed off to Kindergarten this week and Uncle Josh sent him a special e-mail. I think this epitomizes his love for children and why he does such a remarkable job in the classroom.
Dear Dominic,
It is Uncle Josh. I just wanted to write you and tell you that I am so proud of you. That means I think you are a great person and I really like the things you do. You are going to be an amazing Kindergartener. I know you are going to be a great friend to everyone in your class. I know this because you are such a good brother to Jonathan and Cassie. I know you are going to be a big help to your teacher. I know this because you are big help to your Mom and Dad. Kindergarten is so much fun. You are going to learn a lot and have a lot of fun doing it. I know Kindergarten is fun because I teach Kindergarteners just like you! I know you will make great choices at school. I can not wait to hear about all your Kindergarten adventures. I am sorry I won't be able to visit with you after your first day of school, but I was wondering if it would be OK if Aunt Darci and I meet you for lunch at your school one day after I get home? When I come for lunch I am going to be really hungry, so is it okay if I eat your lunch too? I am just joking with you! haha Have a great time on the first day of school. I know you are going to do a terrific job! See you in a little bit.
Love,
Uncle Josh
It's hard knowing that Josh is missing out on this big moment in a job that he absolutely loves. At the same time, this hopefully marks the start of the final school year that will be interupted with the National Guard/Army trainings and deployment. This is now his 7th year of teaching where he has had to leave either for a long weekend of training, basic training, annual training, or in this case a deployment at one point or more throughout the school year. The 2009 - 2010 school year will be exciting. He'll get a full year in the classroom, the first time since the 2001 - 2002 school year when he was in Bogata, Colombia.
Being in Afghanistan, Josh has had a very eye opening experience. In any difficult situation, we all learn (intentionally or not) about our strengths, weaknesses, what we are passionate about and what we may or may not want to do down the road. I have mentioned from time to time on the blog, and some of you know from knowing Josh before the deployment what his intentions were for enlisting in the Guard - to help his country. Josh saw 9/11 from another continent and when he returned he thought it was his duty to serve. Though it does not alter Josh's committment to his truck, platoon, unit or the mission in Afghanistan, Josh will openly admit that the Army "isn't his thing." He is very grateful for the opportunity to serve and how it challenged him. Perhaps if he had a different job or role, something where he feels he would make a bigger impact, then it might be different. As he said in the post from last week, "If nothing else, I taught this one village how to get in a line one behind the other. My great contribution to the war on terror and counterinsurgency. haha. I would like to introduce modern toiletry products such as antipersperant. I searched more than one individual with the "dam has broken" sweaty pits. haha. Personnel searches-definitely drew the short straw on that one."
Through his time over there, he has discovered how much he misses and truly loves, and I mean LOVES, his job as a teacher and especially a kindergarten teacher. Not that it was ever a question before he left, but on several occassions in the last few months, something to the effect of "I have a job I really love at home" has been expressed in an e-mail or phone conversation.
Our oldest nephew, Dominic, headed off to Kindergarten this week and Uncle Josh sent him a special e-mail. I think this epitomizes his love for children and why he does such a remarkable job in the classroom.
Dear Dominic,
It is Uncle Josh. I just wanted to write you and tell you that I am so proud of you. That means I think you are a great person and I really like the things you do. You are going to be an amazing Kindergartener. I know you are going to be a great friend to everyone in your class. I know this because you are such a good brother to Jonathan and Cassie. I know you are going to be a big help to your teacher. I know this because you are big help to your Mom and Dad. Kindergarten is so much fun. You are going to learn a lot and have a lot of fun doing it. I know Kindergarten is fun because I teach Kindergarteners just like you! I know you will make great choices at school. I can not wait to hear about all your Kindergarten adventures. I am sorry I won't be able to visit with you after your first day of school, but I was wondering if it would be OK if Aunt Darci and I meet you for lunch at your school one day after I get home? When I come for lunch I am going to be really hungry, so is it okay if I eat your lunch too? I am just joking with you! haha Have a great time on the first day of school. I know you are going to do a terrific job! See you in a little bit.
Love,
Uncle Josh
To all of the teachers, especially the Barry Staff and Donna, Brian and Nikki, good luck with the start of another school year!
To all of the students, make Mr. B proud and know that he wishes he was there with you!
1 comment:
great post!!!!
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