Over the last several weeks, almost every thought I've had has gone back to my dear friend, Katherine. When we were in our book club together, I saw her almost every month and had meaningful conversations with her. Our book club met for 7 years. Even between some meetings, we would get together for some type of event. At times, it was just a concert or at a bar for a drink. As life progressed, it was wedding showers, weddings, then baby showers and then for play dates. After our book club was unable to continue forward, I normally only talked to her every few months. Sometimes, that doesn't seem like much. However, outside of my husband, kids and family (on the phone), I don't meet with folks very often. Over 10 years, you build a lot of memories with a friend. Most times, you don't realize how many until that person is gone.
It's amazing how many facets of my life were touched by her. They will always make me think of her. Like little tidbits of advice on taking care of babies she gave me (since she had them before me) and comments she made in regards to my personality that I perhaps hadn't considered too much before (she was a very observant gal). I remember her voice and the way it usually sounded like it was coming from behind a smile because it was. Above all, I'll remember her. She was my friend.
Then today, I was hit with news of another death. Another person that made an impact on my life in a very different way. He was my French teacher in high school, Monty Holamon. Though I didn't know him at all in a "friend" aspect, he taught me more about life than one ever finds in a classroom. His classroom and teaching methods were ahead of his time and very innovative by even today's coolest teacher standards.
While I was in his class to learn French, I really learned more about being cultured in life. In addition to only being able to speak French in his classroom only days after entering it for the first time, he had other methods that were unconventional. I can't remember if it was every Friday or only once a month that we had singing class where we would sing French songs to have fun learning the language. Everything from Edith Piaf to more modern day French pop culture. We also had French food day where we all had to bring in a dish. Less often (but definitely more than once), I sat through a silent French class that was designated "Monk Day" when we'd listen to gregorian chants and draw gregorian knots. He also taught about art some days. It was from him that I learned about the surrealist art movement that I still admire today.
Outside of the classroom, I learned even more from him. When I was 16, I went on a trip with a group of my classmates and Monsieur Holamon to Paris. It was a 12 day trip that truly changed my life. Before then I really knew nothing outside of my American culture other than what I saw on Cinco De Mayo programs growing up in school. Experiencing the French culture with him as a guide was awesome. He took us places outside of the "tourist areas" and planted a seed that turned into a lifetime love for travel. It's a priceless gift I never can thank him enough for.
Now, I have the utmost respect for ALL teachers. Anyone that dedicates their time to enriching kids through education is pretty awesome in my book. However, Monty Holamon always had the best answer as to why he became a teacher - because it was the most challenging thing he found to do. The man was eclectic and had many talents but that he chose to teach among many interesting career paths he could have chosen was just fantastic. And he was one of the top of his field. He was so influential, loved, admired and respected by every one of his students.
These two people played parts in my life. I have wonderful memories of them both. Their lives will live on through the memories I have of them and the memories of all the people they touched.
Losing people in your lives gives you time to reflect on them and of your own life. When I was younger, I thought I would go on to do something great though I wasn't sure what. As life progressed, I never found my true calling in life and, in fact, still say I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. When I think about what I'm going to leave behind after I leave this life I have often had the thought that I wouldn't be leaving any kind of legacy if I didn't do anything great. But, here's the thing, it's not true. These two people that have left my life recently weren't conventional heroes. They weren't world renown. They weren't superheros. But they were important in my life as well as many others' lives. The memories we all have of them are great. They will live on through all of us.
It makes me realize that though I may not be destined to be anything more than just Kara, I am me. And I am important in people's lives and have likely touched people in ways I might not have realized. I don't want to make the reflections I have on these two lovely people be about me but in death your mind can't help but stir about the life that you'll lead on after these people are gone. I've been enlightened to live happily and live true to myself by the wonderful memories I have of Katherine and Monsieur Holamon. Thank you both for making my life more enriched by being in it.
