Dudes just say it okay? Kids like you and me in school were were called “incorrigible”. That is until some teacher who was brilliant got through to us and made a difference. That changed our lives forever.
I didn’t need an award for it.
Always had a big smile whenever he saw me.
He was a leader in the youth group and I was one of the squirreliest kids, very loud at times and high strung.
There was a lot of disfunction in my home and my parents eventually divorced after my freshman year of HS. After that, my dad pretty much was non-existent in my life.
Take a high strung, squirrely boy, with disfunction in the home, then a non-existent dad and that's a recipe that could cause disaster. But it was the love and attention of guys AND teachers, like Chuck, who impact a young boys life.
Young boys want and need to rough house.
A noogie from an adult is rough housing.
As I look back, that arm around my head, locking me in, was a hug.
I think back to the teachers who made the biggest impact and they were the ones who made me feel just a little bit special.
It's that little bit that sparks a fire in a childs life.
I'm 54 now.
Most people say I look like a football player.
I saw Chuck within the last year, at a church function, that drew a lot of former attendees back.
Chuck is no longer large and boisterous. But old,thin and frail. I think he may have had a minor stroke at one time.
So now I AM the one, gently putting my arm around his head and vigorously but gently, giving Chuck a light noogie, saying "Hello Chuck".
I took him aside when I last saw him, and explained how now, as a grown up, I understand how I was as a kid. And what exactly he meant to that young kid and this incorrigible adult.
I was glad to see him then. I have wanted to thank him for a long while, and didn't want the words to be too late and unspoken.
Chuck liked the incorrigible kids.
I think Chuck was one of those incorrigible kids.
Me??? .... I;m still working on staying incorrigible :)