Dear Ron, I told you someone would write about you.

Unassuming. Endearing. Kind. Stealth.

I don't know nearly enough about you, but I heard the whisperings long before we met...from my students' smiles when returning to class. You were their favorite person at a favorite lunch spot. Able to joke around. Always asking questions. Getting to know their names...all while offering to refill drinks or get that ice cream cone.

You see, I teach high school kids and I love them. And when I tell others about my chosen profession, more often than not the response goes something like this: "How can you do it? I mean kids that age are quite...(fill in the blank negative association)." My heart breaks that society does not recognize how amazing kids are. They are smart. Fierce. Empathetic. Hilarious. And yes, growing, imperfect humans.

Just this week, I have seen kindness and hard work: a single school putting together stockings for those serving in the military overseas; groups putting together a beautiful holiday party for an underserved elementary school; volunteers who offer a free garage sale every Christmas Eve, complete with wrapping paper. And the little actions that accompany that? Oh, the secret Venmo of $5 for a present; the unrequested vanilla chai brought to a tired teacher; the reaching out to a lonely, quietly suffering classmate; the magic of helping a Target customer completely outside the classroom. It's beautiful.

And Ron, you see them. And they know it.

A recent, favorite memory was watching you come to a high school playoff game. And then, you joined the kick line! The crowd went wild and the kids' joy couldn't be contained.

You have always been kind to me when I took my own two small children for respite during hot summer days (not everyone has air conditioning and a meal my lovely minions will eat). But then we connected on the students. Your eyes lit up and you wanted to make sure that you were caring for them well. And I will echo once again, absolutely yes.

This Thanksgiving and holiday season, I am thankful for you. Thankful that there is a place outside of school where another adult stands in the gap. One who says 'I care about you' and 'I will ask the best of you.' Someone who still sees these wonderful humans as all they are and can be. Thank you for loving them. For embodying safety during sometimes dreary days. For being intentful. For choosing to love your neighbor as yourself, even when that neighbor is only 17.

So Ron, here's our mini tribute to you. May there be kind words coming your way. And although we didn't make a formal bet, I did promise someone would write about you. I would say 'I win', but I think it that is reserved for any who is graced to see more than pepper on a salad. Cheers to you, Ron.