The Wonder of Touching The Future

 Edna Mode, my favorite character in "The Incredibles" said "I never look back, dahling.  It detracts from The Now."  Here in Silicon Valley The Now is The Future.  For us the future is the next phone, a GPS, a software app or a robot that vacuums.

But there is another way of touching the future.  Two weeks ago my children lost a valued mentor when Tim Shannon, their drama teacher at Fremont High School, died of a heart attack.  He was only 49.

My children, especially my reserved daughter, blossomed under his care.  They found themselves doing things they never thought they could and they found their passion.  I see Tim's presence every time they take the musical stage.

At the candlelight vigil former students from 4, 10, 15 years ago spoke of the influence Tim had over their lives.  There were hundreds of students present.  Hundreds more have posted to a Facebook page. Tim not only affected students but fellow teachers and the community theaters he worked with. His students have gone on to work in drama and in the highest compliment to a teacher, become teachers themselves.  

Think of it.  One man, 25 years of teaching; thousands of students who went out into the world after being in his presence.

A guru.

We should all have such an experience.  Imagine what the world would be like if we did.

Thanks, Tim

Mom, Can You Let Everyone Know...

My daughter had surgery on her jaw this morning.  Instead of an orgy of phoning aunts, uncles, boyfriend, concerned friends, etc.  I blogged, facebooked, texted, and e-mailed status reports.  In fact, one friend texted my daughter's phone and I replied "ck FB".  That took care of that.

I did leave a voicemail, which is so last century.  It was to my daughter's boyfriend - telling him to check Facebook.  He called back and had an actual conversation with my husband.  He wanted to know if he could IM my daughter since she couldn't speak.