reedy's rambles

I had a hard day Thursday. The student I worked so hard with last year went to jail. He had marijuana on him at school. I saw him in handcuffs sitting in the office and I almost lost it right there. I had to call Brandi just to think for a second. She reminded me that most of the people I love have smoked pot, so this fits. I laughed and realized this isn't the end of the world. The principal told me that she was impressed with him because he offered the pot right away and was very polite. She said it was still a dfferent Frank than beginning of last year Frank.

On Friday, a coworker wrote me a note that said, "I found this on the stairwell and thought you should have it. Don't give up on him. Everyone else is still not right about him." On the other side in black marker it said, "Free Frank." I thought about using it to teach alliteration.

Today my Aunt called my Dad. We were in the car driving to the Greek festival downtown and Aunt Jan called Dad's cell phone. Mom and I knew it was Aunt Jan right away because of the sound of my father's voice. His strong voice crackled for a second before it regained composure. It was all I could do to not cry, realizing that my dad is still a baby brother who loves his big sister.

We already knew Aunt Jan was safe, but when you hear someone's voice for the first time after being gripped with the paralyzing fear of not knowing, all that you held together becomes unraveled. She lives on the other side of the lake. The side that isn't submerged with water.

We knew she was OK on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Aunt Judy called. Aunt Judy never calls. I asked if she heard from Aunt Jan yet, knowing she hadn't, but knowing that's why she called. Whenever anything happens in our family, people call me. Most of my family doesn't believe in God, but for some reason they believe in my belief in God.