Breakfast 49 -- Ani Renee Haroian

        How do I tell my students, my friends, the children of my friends that it is all going to work out.  That it will be okay.  We just kind of assume that is all going to work out.  And guess what it usually does,  at least in America, at least for people born into privilege.  Yet when you are there, just beginning this long journey it seems real tough.  Cooper yesterday and now Ani today,  both great young people that I would bet big money on.  But right now neither of them know.  I could tell them about how I become an engineer, because Marquette was good at basketball and Wisconsin had an 18 year old drinking age.  I could tell them that I fell into teaching, because I was bored and my sister Katie and I wanted something else to do.  I could tell them how I go to Uganda, because a passionate young woman named Shona refused to let me rest until I watched her DVD.  Or I could tell them, how because of a young woman in hightops named Mary Bryant,  hundreds of us now call Biloxi or summer home.

Dear Ani,                                                                   

        I do not have the answers, I am older and I have seen more than you.  But I have made mistakes and I never figured out how to show the right woman that I loved her.  But now I still hear the words of my parents,  and my friends,  and my students who teach me everyday.  I long to make more money,  but money is not the answer.  I just now trust that my Faith and trying to be the best version of myself is the right path.  Ani,  I am much older than you.  I know I look young, and have a youthful zest, but I am old.  You are much further down the path than I am.  You have that smile and that kindness and the knowledge of others.  You told me things today, that I did not realize about myself.  You did this.  You told me stories about the difficulties in other people's lives and you told me how you now love them more.  You are the nice kid. 

         I found that quote this week,  and he is a teacher,  and he has a website to tell more stories and maybe that is the spark I need this year at Tech.  To teach kids how to be the nice kids.  Maybe Ani, I have to talk with you more.  I thought I just loved you, because you were the one that always laughed at my jokes.
   
  Pretty Simple    Pure Speculation       Positively Saying     Purely Special     Paper Saver

         P.S.  Ani, when you joined into my P.S. game and laughed,  you made my heart Pleasantly Sing.  All four of us in Uganda, would just come together more when you laughed and you smiled.  This is what community looks like.  I have not been your height since kindergarten, and I understand that might give you trouble in the classroom. But just change the first line of Skavnak's quote to "Some kids are taller than you"  Okay I guess every kid is taller than you.  Ani, just be Ani.  I have taken out so many great people for 49 breakfasts and they all have their gifts,  they really are quite extraordinary !!  Yet each one of them would be better with you as their Sancho Panza to their Quixote.   Or maybe better yet,  I would gladly be you Sancho,  Don Quixote.

          Ani, when I was young we had 3 channels and a TV variety show would have a big singer like Ed Ames or Robert Goulet sing the Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha.  We did not have cell phones or iPads, the whole family would be quiet for 4 minutes and we would listen to this song.

        Okay readers,  you have to watch the video also.   Ladies and Gentleman, Private Gomer Pyle

       Here is what I would like you to remember, Ani.  "...the world will be better for this"  We all  need to do our best,  but our world needs more Ani's.  You have a wonderful, beautiful soul.  Did you realize, we were still talking for a long time today after the check was paid. I want to thank you for being a friend who inspires me to be stronger, better, more loving.  I want to thank you that your smile makes me and many others happy.  Just be the nice kid.  Hopefully , the other things will work out.  If they don't-- then be the nice kid.


                                                                                    Kwo pi naka naka,

                                                                                     Oteka