A Poem to Start the Week: The Unseen

This poem is by Ralph Noble, a friend who 50 years ago did his student-teaching in my classroom at McHenry Elementary. Ralph gave his permission to share this. I copied the words from his Facebook page and took the liberty of arranging them in InDesign and then pasting them here.

The Unseen

I don’t see the hands, 

   but they picked the strawberries 

   I drooled over for dessert 

You can’t see the hands, 

   but they lifted your father from 

   his nursing home bed to clean him

I didn’t see the hands, 

   but they cleaned the hotel room 

   that I stayed in last night for $250

We didn’t see the hands, 

   but they washed the dishes from 

   our fabulous $200 dinner

We don’t see their faces. 

   They are behind masks.

We don’t see their names. 

   They are taped over and hidden from sight.

We don’t know which agency they work for, 

   it is classified.

They come armed. They come in mass

The unseen faces take away the unseen hands 

   to unknown places, out of sight. Gone. 

Gone from the fields

Gone from the nursing homes

Gone from the hotels

Gone from the restaurants

Gone from their families and friends

Gone from us

Gone

- by Ralph Noble

Memorial Day

Major General Jeff Bannister did not die in combat but he did die while still on active duty, much too young, as he neared retirement. So for Memorial Day weekend I'd like to remind my Floyd County friends, and especially my McHenry students, teachers, and friends, of this proud son of our school, our county, and our nation. 

Jackie McGehee

Sheila and I attended the funeral for Jackie McGehee at First Methodist this morning. I loved the display the family put at the front of the sanctuary:

• several pictures of Jackie hiking

• her backpack

• her hiking boots

• her hiking stick

• her wildflower field guide, displayed open with underlining, checkmarks, and sticky notes protruding from many other pages.

Jackie was at McHenry when I got there in August of 1971 and still there when Brannon finished fourth grade there in the early 90s. She was one of the best teachers I have worked with. Kind, quiet, loving, dedicated.

In recent years we ran into her several times as we hiked along the Riverwalk in Ridge Ferry Park or behind Chieftain's.

Here is her obituary from the funeral home's website:

Jacquelyn "Jackie" Millican McGehee

JULY 29, 1930 – JUNE 17, 2017

IN THE CARE OF

Daniel's Funeral Home and Cremation Service

Jacquelyn Millican McGehee, 86, Rome, GA, departed this life on June 17, 2017 with her loving family by her side. 

She was preceded in death by husband Jackson Reed McGehee, Sr. and son Jackson Reed McGehee, Jr. 

She is survived by daughter Lynne McGehee Cabe (Doug), daughter-in-law Ann Dickinson (Blair), and grandchildren Jackson Reed McGehee III (Teela), Hannah Cabe Jones (Stephen), Anna Tate McGehee Lupo, and Haley Cabe. Five great grandchildren survive: Sydnee and Cabe Jones, Reed and Libby McGehee, and Mary Alice Lupo.

Jackie was a long-time, devoted member of Rome First United Methodist Church.

Jackie was a first and second grade teacher at Alto Park and McHenry Schools. Her legacy includes touching the lives of many children and families with her empathic love and persistent belief in the intelligence, skills, and unique abilities of children.

Jackie was a friend to forests, streams, wildflowers, rain, rocks, and hummingbirds. She took solace with nature. Jackie hiked many miles on local and regional trails and supported the preservation of nature. 

---------

Facebook comments:

Laurie Craw
Didn't know her, but she sounds like one of the people who make America great. They are the ones who deserve our respect and public praise.

Debbie Carter Reed
She taught one of my sons. She was a very sweet lady and a dedicated teacher

Bill Barker
Prayers Condolences

Linda Hatcher
Mrs. McGehee was a favorite 2nd grade teacher at Alto Park in the 60s-what a lady!

Gleaning Facebook: Tony Patterson

This is a picture of the "little boy" who died at 55 in an ambulance wreck recently. Here Tony eats an ice cream from a trip to Kays Kastle Ice Cream shop in Rome with me and several other students. I don't remember why these kids had earned a special treat.

It has been an absolute joy to reconnect with some of these kids by way of Facebook over the years, but then something like this brings heartbreak.

Here is the obituary from Henderson and Sons Funeral Home:

Mr. Tony Marion Patterson, age 55, of Rome, passed away Friday, June 16, 2017.

            Mr. Patterson was born in Rome, GA on June 13, 1962, son of Jack Edward Patterson and the former Shirley Lambert.  Prior to his becoming disabled, he was employed as a driver with Yellow Cab Company.  He was a member of Coosa Valley Praise and Worship where he served as the church pianist.  An avid musician, Mr. Patterson also enjoyed singing, and playing guitar and drums.

            Survivors include his wife, the former Deborah Pace, to whom he was married on November 28, 2013; 4 daughters, Tonya Warren, Summerville, Tera Jones, and her husband, Greg, Naomi, GA, Melody Patterson, Rome, and Ashley Ratliff, and her husband, Donald, Silver Creek; 3 sons, Danny Mayfield, and his wife, Jennifer, Centre, AL, Johnathan Mayfield, Rome, and Isaac Mayfield, Rome; his parents, Jack and Shirley Patterson, Rome; 3 sisters, Lori Sturgeon, and her husband, John, Rome, Wendy Jenkins, and her husband, Willie, Swainsboro, and Erika Seale, and her husband, Julian, Copperas Cove, TX; a brother, Wesley Patterson, Rome; 6 grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.

            Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 3pm in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel.  The Rev. Steve Kelley will officiate.  Following the service, Mr. Patterson will be cremated in accordance with his wishes.

            The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Thursday from 1pm until the service hour.  At other times, they may be contacted at their respective residences.

            Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.

Gleaning Facebook: Gladys Morris First Grade Class

Laurie Craw I tought you might like to see this pic that my friend Zelda Buford shared on the McHenry facebook page.

Laurie Craw

Wow! Aunt Gladys really DID teach first grade at McHenry. I only saw her at home, never at work or with children. It's so strange that the adults in our childhood lived these "other" lives we never saw. Wish I could get a copy of this picture, but will save it here to show Rachel and Sam. Uncle George Morris was on the McHenry school board, I think. Do you know?

Terrell Shaw

I remember you telling me that. I wonder when the McHenry Board ceased to exist?

 

Gleaning Facebook: Mr. Shaw's Stars

From William (Bill) Fortenerry's Facebook

Terrell: This is from the mid seventies -- which year?

Comments

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
What a great year that was! 

TamaraBarry Tidwell
A lot of sweetness

Don Rusk
I recognize most of the faces! Oh to be young again..

Gleaning Facebook: Miss Martha King

I'll bet some of my Trinity United Methodist Church friends will recognize the assistant principal at McHenry in 1949.

This is Student Council

"Advisor

MISS MARHA KING"

from page 44 of the McHenry High School Yearbook of 1949.

Mary Louise

Miss King -- she was a great friend of my family too....

Terrell Shaw

She was a wonderful woman and a friend to my parents and to Sheila and me after we returned to Rome in '71.

Deborah Shaw Lewis

Still miss Martha - what a remarkable person!

Gleaning Facebook: Robin Williams' Doppelgänger?

Well, shoot, I gotta save this! These words are surely exaggerated but they certainly make this old retired teacher feel ggod.

Gina Richardson was my student when she was in elementary school and I was teaching classes for gifted students at McHenry (and Pepperell) School. 

Here's a picture I took of her way back when:

Gina Richardson and Matthew Smart at McHenry School. Mid-eighties?

Today she posted this on my Facebook page:

You have always been MY Robin Williams... a never-ending source of inspiration, good will, and dedication. You are an undeniable example of what is good and admirable. You taught me to believe in myself, my talent, and my intelligence at a very young age. When I denied any existence of imagination in my mind, you pushed me to explore! I cannot say one bad thing about you. The impact you have had on the lives of sooo many young people as students and so many adults through you valiant efforts and fights for good causes is far-reaching and still remains to be seen. I just want to tell you this now, because I've always compared you in my mind to Mr. Robin Williams, that you are revered and I enjoy always the adventures you seek out to affect our world. Much love to you, 'Mr. Shaw'.

I replied to her:

Gina, I am so touched by your extravagant words. 

I know my foibles well. I am, in truth, a rank sinner. I am capable of great sloth and, as much as the next guy, I can be spiteful and mean when I get my back in a hump. 

But I have always loved my students and tried to put their well-being --- short- and long-term --- first. It is very rewarding to know that some of you felt that. What joy it is to reconnect, electronically at least, with so many younguns from way back. I think I have posted on Facebook a picture or two of little Gina Nicholson from your days in my Kaleidoscope classes.

Of course my oft-stated rule "Always laugh at Mr. Shaw's jokes." would have been unnecessary if I had had Robin Williams's comic genius. 

Gleaning Facebook: A Tough Week

Headed off to the fourth funeral I've attended in a week.  

Last Wednesday my first cousin Benny Loyd's service, then theater/Democratic friend Mary Doster's on Saturday -- I wrote about these two folks previously.

The funeral for our church friend Lana Poss' was this morning, and this afternoon, the service for my neighbor of 26 years, Katherine Gordon, who was also the mother of Justin, a student in my very first class at McHenry in 1971.

I have never regretted attending a wake, a visitation, or a funeral. There have been several times I regretted NOT attending. Twice I had to miss funerals, of folks very important to me, because I had major roles in shows that could not have gone on without me. But I still feel lousy for missing them. 

Each of these four occasions this week were sad, yes, but each also enriched my life. My advice to anyone who will listen to this 67-year-old coot: Go to funerals. Just be there. You won't regret it. You will learn. You will grow. You will be enriched. 

And children should attend funerals. It is one of the ways we pass on to our kids the things that really matter. It's a time when folks get real, and we hear from the hearts of our friends and family the things we should, but don't say day to day.

In all four of these occasions I learned things I hadn't known about folks whom I already admired. I learned something about what was important to each of them, and also something about the values of those they left behind, and I feel closer to them for it.

Comments:

Howard Smith
Seems to me like being acquainted with you has a downside....which, causes me some personal concern.

Ricky Conaway
Terrell where did you live at I lived close to the Gordons also on Cedar Ave. right across the street from Mr. Lindsey and beside Bill Cox

Joan Shaw Turrentine
That makes for a very hard week.

Bob Doster
We're very sorry about this situation. BUT you are a great comfort to the people involved.

Wendy Ramsey
So sorry for such a sad week!

John Countryman
When it rains it pours. Comforting thoughts!

Mary Nisbet Asbury
dang!

Neal Brackett
Good Grief Terrell. you haven't been hanging out with Angela Lansbury have you?

Madelyn Collette
Good of you to show your care or these families.

Terrell Shaw
Ricky we lived at 608 directly across the street from the Coxes. The Gordons' backyard bordered ours.

Terrell Shaw
Wendy, you are the one with the rough week. I was so sorry hear of your loss. But I'm glad that y'all were able to be with your mom at the end.

Madelyn Collette
I was sick with gallstones and could not attend the funeral of one of my dearest friends Linda Stone. We did have a candle burning in her memory at our Circle of which she was a DEVOTED MEMBER. It hurts so bad when you can't attend services for those you love.

Deborah Lake Dawson
Sorry for your losses, so many at once.

Ruth Pinson
What a week! I'm so sorry.

George Barton
I don't know why, I thought of Hugh Grant and "Four Weddings and a Funeral".

Bitsy Burton
Hugs, Terrell!

Barbara J. Gale
You sang beautifully at Lana's service. Thank you.

Moving On...

It has been unofficial for a few weeks now, but as of today it is official. This is the last month of my teaching career. I will retire at the end of May.

(There is no rhyme or reason to the placement of pictures below. I just chose a pretty random group of pics from my facebook albums that illustrate my teaching career and inserted 'em wherever they landed.)

It is the toughest decision I have made in a long time. 

I am looking forward to retirement in many ways, but I can’t help but feel sad that I will not greet those two dozen eager little faces next fall. I won’t get to introduce them to Penny and Nick and Ben. I won’t get to walk them across the desktops in our simulation of the ancient discovery of America by Asians across Beringia. I won’t get to lead them on the “Long Trail” ...

... through our school woods or lead them in examining those seventy-odd apples they bring that first week.

 

 I won’t get to teach them those silly songs: “Cut the Cake” and “Evaporation” or teach them to sing Jefferson’s wonderful words “We Hold These Truths...”. I won’t tell them about my ‘Possum friend, ‘Delphis, nor will I give them their first recital of Jabberwocky. 

I have always loved that first week as I get to know them and vice versa. There will be no timid “brown bag reports” from the Castle this fall.

I can’t complain about my final group of homeroom younguns. I have a precious group who made me look awfully good for 2012-2013 as they “excelled” as a group on all five parts of the “The Test That Shall Not Be Named” with not a single failing score. And all three of my  groups managed to improve over their third grade scores by more than 20 points in science and about that much in social studies -- the best growth in Floyd County.

I first joined Floyd County Schools in 1971. I had already taught two years in Putnam County, West Virginia. After two years at McHenry teaching fifth grade, I accepted the additional $400 per year to be assistant principal there, while I continued my classroom duties for four more years. I transferred to Pepperell for one year as a sixth grade teacher before I began my eleven years teaching in the gifted program. What fun I had there as I got to invent my own curriculum along with a close knit group of wonderful teachers.

In 1988 I left teaching for eleven years to chase a dream in private enterprise. 

Then in 1999 I recognized education as my true calling and answered Anita Stewart’s invitation to interview at Armuchee. It has been joy to serve the children of Armuchee for the last fourteen years. 

I have been privileged to work with some of the finest teachers and administrators in the country at this remarkable school. The environmental emphasis at Armuchee fit perfectly with my own educational philosophy, and the environmental education program here helped me develop and refine my philosophy and methods. Together we have created an excellent atmosphere of learning for the children and collegiality among the staff and faculty. I am very proud of what we have wrought at Armuchee during the last decade plus. I will always carry warm memories of the students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff members with whom I have worked. 

Despite the current anti-public education climate in Georgia, I hope my cohorts will continue the tradition of environmental education at Armuchee. High stakes testing is not the final indication of educational success, but I must point out that while using environmental methods we have achieved testing results that compare very favorably with those of other schools. Learning in the context of the real world around us really does stick.

I look forward to the opportunity to do occasional volunteer storytelling and nature activities at Armuchee. Those twenty-five beautiful acres and the folks who have peopled them will always be near my heart.

Gleaning Facebook: Ribbing

Favorite status of the day from former student Mike Pruitt: "Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals."

--------------

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
You do realize that Mikey actually DOES this!!!!!

Ruth Baird Shaw
Terry...lol... thanks for the laugh. Are you telling me that Mike was one of your students?

Terrell Shaw
Mike was in my very first McHenry class in 1971-72!

Tony Pope
LOVE IT! Too funny! Need to remember that!

Ruth Baird Shaw
Rhonda...do you know Mikey? BTW...is your Ingram family related to the Newton County Georgia Ingrams!

Terrell Shaw
Do you know Mike Pruitt, Mama? And how is your cold, by the way?

Linda Mackey Moore
That is the most hilarious status of the year and will be hard to beat from here forward!

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
Mrs. Shaw, I hesitate to say this but...YES, I do know Both Mike Pruitts!! The one that was in Mr. Shaw's first class belonged to our sweet bus driver, I believe. The one commenting on this page I have known since birth...He, if I am not mistaken, went to Pepperell Elementary. I think there is some confusion here... 

And, Mrs. Shaw, I don't think I am familiar with the Newton County Ingrams. But, one can never be sure

Terrell Shaw
Are you telling me I've been confused about which Mike I'm talking to for a year now! Mike (2) you could have straightened me out!
I agree, Linda. Mike's status makes it OK that I've been confused about who he is for months!

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
LOL!! If you think you have been talking to our Bus driving Mrs. Pruitt's son, then , YES...you have been talking to the wrong one!!

Terrell Shaw
Yep, I thot I wuz dealing with Kathleen's smart-aleck. Turns out I'm messing with someone else's smart aleck! <grin>

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
HaaaaHaaaaa!!! I am literally LOL!!!! Tooo funny!

Terrell Shaw
Always here to provide comic relief to my (cruel) former students!

 

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
THANK YOU!

Terrell Shaw
Ha! With your great sense of humor, I doubt you are ever short of friends, Mike. And don't you talk bad about little Rhonda or you'll have me and a bunch of others to deal with! 

Wow! I've spent way too much time on FB today! And I obviously don't know what I'm doing.

TamaraBarry Tidwell
OMG!! This is so funny! I wondered how Mr. Shaw knew this Mike. Mrs Kathleen would think this was funny. God bless her soul.

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
I KNOW, Tammy!!! LOL!! I swear, I have to watch THIS Mike Pruitt every minute!...I guess everyone Wishes that they had gone to McHenry and had Mr. Shaw as their favorite teacher too!!

TamaraBarry Tidwell
You bet they do!