Life of Wry

Today, someone on Facebook posted this photo. It’s most of the staff and teachers from Cesar Chavez Elementary school during Peter’s tenure there. This particular photo, the poster believed, was taken in about 2009, which was the year Peter entered 6th grade, his final at Chavez.

The photo includes Senora Bugsch (first grade.. almost out of the photo on the right side), Senora Dunbar (second grade, white tee shirt with lettering, who taught with Senora [hmmm], not pictured), Senora Peavyhouse (I think) (sixth grade, on Chavez’s right shoulder), principal Senora Beck (far left).. and numerous other teachers he didn’t have. I don’t see Peter’s kindergarten teacher (Senora Gutierrez), nor his second grade teacher (Senorita Cruz), nor his fourth grade teacher (Senorita Marchand), nor his fifth grade teacher (Senora Ponce). I can’t imagine they’d all moved on.. but nor can I imagine the photo includes the entire teacher community at Chavez!

But.. whew.. remembering all these names… that was really reaching back in the memory bank.

While I’m on the subject of Peter’s teachers.. here are a few I could put my hands on quickly…

Peter with Senora Gutierrez (kindergarten):

Peter and Senora Bugsch (first grade):

Senora Bugsch and Senorita Cruz sitting on Peter’s bed (happened when we hosted one course of a progressive dinner.. a fundraiser for Chavez).. they teased that this photo could be used as blackmail one day:

This is a photo I came across today, as well… it’s a photo taken in the summer following first grade.. and it really got me. The crumbs, yes, the eyelid freckle and the fold of the ears.. but I really smiled at his name inscribed (by him) on the inside of this hat. I could stare at this photo for hours.

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One other thing happened today. We went to a memorial service for the dad of one of Peter’s Chavez friends, Anna. For a while — kindergarten and first grade mostly — Anna was it.

A couple of Anna and Peter pics (and Jack makes an appearance):

They enjoyed hanging out in the hammock in the backyard.. just talking.

So, Jim Belenis passed away a month and a half ago, a heart complication. He was sort of legendary — part of a well-known family in town — and so very well liked. Among many more important community contributions, he served on my board for many years. I really liked him a lot. It was a sad memorial, for the fact he lived life with many health issues stemming from childhood cancer. He faced so many challenges, got passed most of them, until the last thing. Died at 63 leaving a loving family and a huge community of friends grieving.

It was really lovely to talk with Anna — very grown up Anna. Still so sweet.