SHOULDERS

This week, a public gathering was held to celebrate my retirement from teaching middle school. As many of you know, I love to talk, I love people and I love being outside. Believe it or not, I am not at home being the center of the attention. Yes, I can hear you laughing and snickering, but it’s true. In my younger years, I became very comfortable on stage, and connecting with people. The key was that I was always in back of a drum kit, which acted as my shield from being too close to the spotlight. Even all the years instructing middle school band, I felt that the spotlight was (and should always be) on the kids. I may have helped steer the ship, but the crew is what makes it function. All this to say that this week’s party was a meet up at a local outdoor restaurant/bar where anyone and everyone was welcome to drop by and say hello. This plan allowed for people to talk and mingle, but not put me in some center ring where I was coerced into giving a speech. It was perfect.

I am always humbled, flattered and grateful when people speak of my career as “life changing” for their kids. I dismiss it as a warm compliment, and remind people that it is the KID that made the teaching fun, and that if the KID had a vested interest, I was only too happy to guide them along the not-so-easy years of early adolescence.

I received many hugs, smiles, congratulations and hand shakes, along with a bunch of humor, reminiscing and tales from my time in the classroom. At an event like this, YOU know everyone, but watching others cross paths for the first time is very cool.

There were current students, high school students, and college students. There were kids from my first year teaching who are now 40 years old and have families of their own. There were current colleagues, colleagues who have left my school, colleagues who have left teaching, and colleagues that have retired. There were parents of current and old students. There were friends from college. There were friends from my high school graduating class (SHS ’91). There were friends that I went to elementary school with. One of my former students owns a bakery (Kathryn’s Confections), showed up with a GIANT cake AND catered and fed everyone. (Love you Kathryn…..Amazing). There were people that I spoke with earlier that day, and people I haven’t seen in 40 years. There was even a woman who asked: “Do you know who I am?” I had no idea….parent? (nope), former colleague? (nope), friend of a friend? (nope), have a connection to my work with muscular dystrophy? (nope), know my sister? (yep)…..”and your family”……she was standing with a current colleague (Marty, the high school band director….who was sitting there LAUGHING). Naturally, I am trying to tie this woman and Marty together somehow (connections..). I wasn’t even close. Her hint was “Lancaster School”, which was my elementary school from 1979-85. I blinked and it hit me that this was MY 4TH GRADE TEACHER (Carole Green Grosberg). HUGE shout out to Ms. Green. Her and I shared some laughs and memorable stories (I remember her class more than she does, which is likely what my students now say about me!) She is the person that sparked today’s title…SHOULDERS.

I connected with hundreds of people this week who touched my life in ways that cannot be measured by words. Everyone that took the time to come and say hello, as well as the many more that sent emails, and texts of well wishes…I stand on your shoulders. I am privileged to know all of you. This morning, I had a conversation with a dear friend, stressing the belief that what all of us DO on the earth is important and memorable. Without all of you, there is no me. There is no teaching career, no band, no music, and no path that led all of us to this day. I stand on your shoulders. There are no inside jokes (50 foot structures in the snow? babe? Old charts? Paradiddle Rock shots? Horse drawings? Check stands? Checkyl high high checkyl?), no percussion jokes (ok, that’s still a thing), no private lessons, no teaching “life through music”. I stand on your shoulders. ALL of you have shaped me, taught me, helped me and supported me in ways that you might not realize. It’s not about me. I stand on your shoulders. The Moeschen Mafia? You created it. The culture in my classroom? You made it grow. Years of friendships through music making and having lunch in the band room? YOU. Jazz band? (Yazzz. BLAhs….T-Denning, special Waering, Pep talks, Souhegan PIZZA nights) All you. Jake and Dan inventing http://www.moeschenishandicappedbuthehashisownshowinthebandroomDOTCOM? Brilliant…YOU. I could go on forever. The memories of my storied teaching career will live on in my head until I’m gone. Now it’s time for YOU to carry the times we spent together out into the world like a brightly boring torch. The cycle continues. Take some time to thank the people who’s shoulders YOU stand on. You will be glad that you did. Thank you all. Thank you so much. You touched my life. I will never forget.

Stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned.

PS: Are these blogs the makings of a memoir? The idea was suggested to me recently….I stand on your shoulders too…. Mrs. Maestranzi. We share a love of books….time will tell.