I realize I didn't publish any Terms of Agreement prior to embarking on this resolution and so I hope this eighth cup of coffee isn't violating anyone's preconceived notions about my plans. I ran into Colleen by accident and so our reunion wasn't premeditated. But it was a very happy surprise and so it's too bad these things don't happen more often!
Colleen and I taught in the same middle school together for eight (?) years. As happens, when we both moved to different schools, so too did the amount of time we spent together shift. I saw her, unexpectedly last week at a work related presentation, and then again this week at Teachers Convention and so took advantage of some abbreviated time together to catch up.
Colleen is a friend of contradictions. She has a personality that can be boisterous and larger-than-life, but a soft and sensitive side that moves people. The heart she has for family, friends and students is overflowing but her wittiness and sense-of-humour keeps all of us on our toes! Although she has had to battle the health challenges impacting herself and her family, she is also a never-say-no goal setter who climbed a mountain on a milestone birthday a decade ago, and is planning a marathon bike ride to mark an upcoming one. As a band teacher she is one of those colleagues who I have always said I think walks on water (Band teachers, Kindergarten teachers and Grade 8 teachers) but her talents and perseverance extend beyond the job. A special memory I hold of Colleen was at her wedding, 7 years ago, where I took Derek on our first date as an exclusive couple, introducing him there to my friends for the first time. (Also, we got to sit in the very front row because, of course thanks to D, we arrived late. I think we walked down the aisle right before the wedding party...)
It was wonderful to see Colleen recently. Wonderful to reconnect, even if only for a few unscheduled moments.
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