Having A Passion

“You can’t teach people passion.  You can turn it ON, but you can’t teach it.”--Rudolf Nureyev, Professional Ballet Dancer
b. March 17, 1983 d. January 6, 1993

April 2, 1989Leigh’s Birthday was on March 29th.   She is now a one year old.   Now it was Holly’s turn.   John and Sherri arranged a small party at their house.   Mom had fun after two sips of the Margarita on the rocks that John made for her.  

Holly seemed thrilled by her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.   I think she was a tad more thrilled by her new wheels. 

“Maybe Holly will go on longevity bike rides with me when she’s older,” I announced.
I was happy that mom’s mom (my grandmother: Mary Genevieve Leyba-Lucero) came to the party.   She is always a bundle of positive energy.

I sent a box of SEE’s Candy to my 4th and 5th Graders at REDDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in San Francisco that I won’t be able to see anymore.   I encouraged them to send me postcards and keep in touch.   Let’s see if I hear from any of them.   Most importantly, I do hope I reached them in my teachings about having a passion for what you do, especially from the act of writing.

On April 6, 1989 I received a card from the student’s teacher, Patricia Ann Crowley.   She wrote in her professional typewritten manner:Dear Michael,
I am sorry that I missed your visit to REDDING ELEMENTARY last week.   I thought you might come by to say “good-bye” to us.
I have tried to call on several occasions but I must be selecting the wrong time.
I have been busy writing a team ARTS Grant with the Teachers at REDDING, plus attending various workshops.   I would like to be in touch with you, so that we might get-together for lunch some afternoon, if that’s possible for you.
Would it be possible for you to call me at school some morning or lunch time?   I’m usually at school at 8:10AM.   Class begins at 8:30AM.   Lunch time I’m free to talk to you Mon-Thurs from 12:20PM to 1:45PM.
I do want to THANK YOU for you well-prepared lessons and interest in working in a public school classroom.   The children enjoyed your presentations.   WE are in the process of transferring the ads you’d begun with them to tag board for display purposes.   They are turning out well.
We didn’t have a class this week because of Public Schools Week, but we will have it next week.   Best of luck in your new program…
Pat

That was sweet of her.   I quickly replied back to Pat Crowley.   It’s a matter of time before we can actually meet-up again.   She seems like the type that will try to keep in touch though.  We shall see.A few days later I was also happy to receive a personal note from one of the students (namely Deana Vi).   Deana wrote in her own handwriting:

Dear Mr. Armijo,Our class misses you a lot.   We learned a lot from you.   Do you like your new job?   And thanks for the candies.  Maybe sometimes you can come and visit our class.   Inside the envelope there’s a picture of me.   If you don’t mind would you send me a picture of you?   THANK YOU.

Your Pal,
Deanna Vi

Of course, I had to comply.   I wrote back to Deanna.   I was quite touched that she took the time to write such a dear, pleasant note.“If you wanted…you could pick your own secret missions as I do.”
-Javier Bardem as the villain to Agent 007
as heard in the 007 film, SKYFALL