Do they teach them this at teachers' colleges?

I and my kids need to appear in court on what would be their first day of school for this year. 

This is horrible for so many reasons.  But anyway, I am trying to contact their teachers, to explain the situation, make sure they are prepared to get the boys initiated a day late, and mostly to let them know that the boys are going through a rough time.  It's hard to know how much to tell the teachers, what is most helpful, and to good purpose. Honestly, my main thought is, understandably, to make things better for the boys.  But I also know it may serve to remove a stumbling block from in front of the teachers:

My father passed away when I was in elementary school.  We went to stay with my father's family for a couple weeks, out-of-state, and they arranged for me to go to the local day school.  I can't remember almost anything from my elementary years in general, but I remember that week fairly well.  I actually enjoyed the school very much, made friends much easier than at home, so I suppose I just appeared to be some little girl on an extended vacation.  After a couple days, the recess teacher came up to me to say hello.  "And how did you come to join our school for this week?" she asked all cheerfully...

And it all just fell out in tears, "I'mherebecausemyfatherdiedandhisfuneralwashereonsundayandtheysaidishouldgotoschoolbecauseidon'thave
tositshivaalldayandthatswhyi'mherrrrrrreeeeee."  Hiccup.

I feel so terrible for that teacher.  I have no idea who it was.  I wonder if there is any way to find her an let her know I never held any bad feelings against her, and it really wasn't anything terrible that she said.

I once, unintentionally did something to hurt a little child, and I will feel guilty about it forever.  It is one of my worst memories.  But the child was so young at the time, I bet she doesn't even remember, and I don't even know her name.  But it would be wonderful to be able to settle that matter. So, I want to do what I can to avoid creating such a terrible memory for someone new.

A Last Hurrah

Movie Buddy is leaving on Sunday for the other side of the continent.  I am so happy for him and so sad for me, and we went out yesterday for a (pen)ultimate movie viewing.  I had reserved his company for "Boyhood" at the beginning of the summer.  He took a break from his preparations, and we finally made it to the theater last night.

"Boyhood"...there was so much hype leading up to its release.  I will say that it was a very powerful film, but certainly not because of the story.  The story was okay, but we both agreed that the message was kinda' thin: a boy who has such uncertain childhood in a world of imperfect adults still develops into a good, curious, credulous yet questioning, unbroken adolecent.  Yes we understand the idea, but the movie does little to really probe what it is he still believes in, what directions he questions.

What really hit me, and I mean hit me "bang" in the gut, what the amazing feeling of authenticity. The curiosity of actually watching the characters/actors age was certainly the teaser that brought many people into the theatre, and it was very satisfying.  But BEYOND just having the time progress "truthfully", the time references that weren't neccessarily "references" when they were shot, there was something that felt 100% right about every scene.  I can't put my finger on how it was done, I do not understand the craft of it, but from the first scene, I literally (literally!!!) wanted to say to Movie Buddy "that looks just like that place I remember!"  And I did not grow up anywhere near Texas.  Riding the bikes in the little ravine, the apartment complexes, the empty parking lot, the dorm room... somehow even the beautiful southwest scenery I have NEVER seen: the quarry lake, the mountains and canyons, they looked so right, and almost familiar.

Also the dialog was so authentic and familiar feeling.  Even the high school / college "questioning life" rants and boy/girlfriend banter was wonderfully recognizable and natural for its innate empty wispiness.

And because it was all so authentic, and because I am already living this movie, I collapsed, and let every scene pull me where it intended.


I pleaded with Movie Buddy to give me a few more hours, so he is coming over tonight to watch "Little Miss Sunshine": same movie, but set as a comedy. Like "Penny Lane" vs. "Elenor Rigby".

Please keep a space for me, I'm always thinking of you.  Good luck Movie Buddy, onward and upward!