I have become my high school Spanish teacher

Mr. Blomberg, my high school Spanish teacher.

Today is my 43rd birthday. I think what amazes me more is the fact that I graduated from high school 25 years ago. I have very fond memories of high school. It was definitely a season of my life that stands out. I had great friends, who I still connect with today. Those years were full of fun, ridiculous amounts of laughter, and really there was minimal drama. As far as academics, the only thing I really remember was in November 1989 when our history teacher spent significant time helping us understand the fall of communism. Besides that my memories are full of laughter, fun, and friendships. 

One class in which we laughed a great deal was Spanish. Oh Mr. Blomberg, the rather eccentric older man who had a massive pot belly and wore crazy plaid blazers. I remember his odd grin, the times when he laughed at himself, and we laughed along more at him than with him. I also vaguely remember him jumping around the classroom. As far as Spanish, I still know about 10 words, but please don't ask me about grammatical structure or the various tenses, I never got those to begin with. My guess is that Mr. Blomberg has passed on from this world but his memory is still etched in the minds of his former students.

One such memory is of Mr. Blomberg walking the path along the Mississippi River getting some exercise. Now I can't remember if I actually saw him or if the details were relayed to all of us from a class mate who witnessed the event. The vision in my mind is of him briskly walking with his arms swinging like crazy, you know to get the heart rate higher, and to work those shoulder and back muscles. However, to a bunch of teenagers, he looked hilarious. 

It dawned on me a couple years ago that I had become my high school Spanish teacher as I walked with my arms swinging like crazy to get a more intense workout. Life is all about perspective and at 43 years old I fully expect to be laughed at by teenagers. I see my boys laughing at me on a daily basis and occasionally hiding their heads. My guess is that Mr. Blomberg felt the same way, knowing our laughter was more at him than with him. However, he did not seemed bothered by it, he obviously cared about his students, he taught with passion, and extended us grace. The older I get the more I realize that life needs to be lived extending grace to others, keeping things in perspective, worrying less about what others think, and doing what is necessary to take care of yourself. Even if it means swinging your arms like crazy on your daily walk so you are stronger and feel better.

I decided to dedicated my 43rd birthday to my rather eccentric high school Spanish teacher. Thanks Mr. Blomberg for still teaching me life lessons all these years later and as I use my new birthday hand weights, I will fondly think of you.

My teenagers, not too embarrassed to pose for a selfie with mom.