Chat With Andy

Meet Si

Andy Smallman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:41:14 +0000

Featured with me in today’s photo, taken this morning, is a young man named Simon or Si. I met Si in 1986 when he was 5. Meeting Si and subsequently working closely with him and his family is one of the most, if not THE most, significant milepost in my life. I was a 23 year-old undergrad interested in working with children, most likely as a teacher. The experience of working and otherwise spending time with Si made clear for me what kind of teacher, really, what kind of person, I want(ed) to be, the kind who accepts people as they are.

I was in Olympia yesterday and spent the night at Si’s house, renewing my relationship with him and his amazing parents, Bob & Griselda. They shared their Sabbath dinner with me and provided me a lovely place to sleep. Mostly, as they have done since 1986, they nurtured my soul.

Please nurture your soul by learning more about Si here.

Today’s Question: What is a significant milepost from your life?

Product Placement

Andy Smallman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:00:46 +0000

Click on the photo to enlarge it and then study it for a minute. It’s pretty good product placement, don’t you think? It might appear that Chloe and I (yes, that’s us, from August 1993) are spokespeople for Earth’s Best Organic Baby Food.

I mean, just look at Chloe. She’s so excited she can’t get all the food in her mouth. It’s on her hands, her face, the bib. And me, I’m so excited I apparently have forgotten personal grooming. Facial hair, chest hair, long, long hair. What, were there no barbers nearby in 1993?

Actually, this picture comes from Chloe’s first experience with solid food, if you can call pureed carrots solid food. It’s part of my recent photo scanning festival.

Today’s Question: What’s your favorite meal?

Crazy Parents

Andy Smallman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:33:29 +0000

This one may be more for you parents out there although I encourage everyone to play along by considering this as it pertains to yourself. Today’s question asks you to share something silly or funny you’ve done with (to?) your child.

For instance, today’s photo comes from a trip to Idaho Melinda, Chloe and I took in 1994. Chloe was a toddler, as you may be able to tell, and the house at which we were staying had some beautiful landscaping that included this fountain. We put Chloe in the fountain and snapped a series of pictures, this being but one. We laughed and laughed.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe our children survive to adulthood.

Today’s Question: What’s a nutty thing you’ve done with your kid?

More Real People

Andy Smallman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:01:58 +0000

Yesterday I introduced you to Michael who just so happens to be a plumber. He was back at PSCS today and fixed another toilet. Today I met Bob, the man who came and removed the tree that fell overnight across the walkway entrance to the school. Tonight, Melinda and I met Perry, the notary who came to our house to assist in the process we undertook to take advantage of lower interest rates and refinance our home loan.

I made a point of talking to each person and referring to them by name, something I intend to make a more regular practice.

Oh, the named girl in today’s photo is, in fact, Chloe, as I hope you can tell. Yes, Chloe, as in our daughter who is now in college.

Today’s Question: Who is a real person you saw today?

Meet Michael

Andy Smallman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:12:13 +0000

Long story short. We had a plumbing issue at PSCS today. Michael, seen in today’s picture, was the plumber who made things right. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him and asked if he might pose next to the site of his fine work (yeah, he replaced a valve in the urinal) and give me permission to post the photo and a short story on the Internet.

You see, Michael is a natural teacher who just so happens to be a plumber. More importantly, he is a thoughtful human being who cares about quality. He asked me about the school to gain insight into the work he does with apprentice plumbers. He listened carefully and asked insightful questions.

The whole experience got me thinking how often I take for granted the people who come to my house or to my place of work to provide a service. Do I see “the plumber” or do I see a person?

Today I met Michael, a person.

Today’s Question: What’s the name of the person who delivers your mail?