Back in early March, I learned that Charlie Lundell was being treated again for cancer. When I learned of how severe it was, I started writing him a letter, but I didn’t like it’s tone. It felt like too much of a good-bye and that’s not what I wanted. I approached it differently and worked on it for some time. When I learned at the beginning of April, he was in critical care, I polished it up one final time. On April 16th, I woke up at 3:30AM to go to the bathroom and grabbed my phone. While checking my messages, I was floored by an inbox message that Charlie had passed away a few hours before. I sat on the edge of my bed, dumbfounded and teary eyed that he was gone. I was sad because his children got cheated out of time with their father, his wife was cheated out of growing old with him, his unborn twins would never know their father first hand, and I didn’t seize my last chance to let him know how much he meant to me.
I took my little essay and decided to record it in audio format, posting it here so others would know what Charlie Lundell meant to me since I won’t be able to attend his memorial service.
Hazel, what a wonderful way to honor your beloved teacher! That was beautiful. Sounds like you had just as much of an impact in his life as he did yours. What a wonderful relationship! Sounds like his metaphor for life is something we all need to hear.
Honey, this is beyond beautiful…..xoxo
That was just so nice. That was just awesome.
Brilliant – I hope to be half the teacher he was.
What truth she speaks, I was one of Charies menties as a new teacher. I saw and was taught first hand the skills she spoke of. I remember Charlie saying,”Student performance is a reflection of your performance and student attitude is a reflection of your attitude toward the students.” He was a good friend and daily as I teach he’ll be in my thoughts and heart.
You always had a narrative way with words Hazel. This was a beautiful tribute to Charlie. I laughed and cried all at the same time. X=C.Lundell