By Anonymous

NOTE FROM MD: The writer of the blog below has been a dear friend since 1978, when I started as a babe-in-the woods assistant principal at the high school where she taught most levels of mathematics. Good grief; that has been 43 years this fall. She was the first math teacher I met as an administrator who loved math and kids, equal measure. Perhaps that sounds implausible to you. If so, you probably had an American History teacher who did not make you learn names and dates of events and capitals of all the states and of the countries of the world!

Since I started as that snotty-nosed assistant principal, I have kept a list of the best teachers I have personally observed teach in the classroom and interact with kids in other ways. The person who wrote the essay below is among the top ten teachers I have ever known. I haven’t kept her ranking in my head because she is my friend, but rather, she is my friend because she taught me how to help other math teachers properly teach math and correctly treat kids at the same time.  She has been a blessing to me through all these years, and she has remained a dear friend, even though we went decades without communicating. Now to her story.

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Dear Mickey, 

I really enjoyed your latest Southern Exposures.  I read the Music History in September, and I then went back and read your Music My Way three-part essay. I found it was very interesting.  I have many albums by the artists you listed, but not nearly as many as you and Sandy.  I may have to take a walk down memory lane and visit the little record shop on Sage Ave.  I think it is Mobile Records. You may remember it as it has been there many years.

Music History in September was fascinating. It also brought back memories of all the albums I bought as a teenager, a young adult, and as an older adult (not an old adult).  I, too, have let the old turntables of the past move on to thrift stores, etc.  However, I would never let my Mother get rid of the console stereo and radio I insisted she and my dad purchase in case I wanted to have a Beatles revival.  It still sits in my living room, awaiting a day trip down memory lane. 

LOOK FAMILIAR?

My 13th birthday gift consisted of a new fancy, teenager-approved record player and the album Meet the Beatles.  Yes, a real treasure to me to this day.  A few of the albums have moved on to my siblings as some were favorite memories of our life at home.  You know, Mitch Miller sing-along albums my Mother used with her 3rd graders for many years, Christmas albums, the Mother Goose album my brother listened to over and over, and more. Yes, there are more such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Chicago, the Temptations, the Righteous Brothers, and others from my college years.  Also, many piano albums.  I was hoping listening to Bach’s and Beethoven’s pieces would help me with my piano lessons. 

My taste in music has changed over the years, but the albums and the stereo are a part of the past I do not want to lose.  They bring back memories of good, carefree times.  Many things of our past bring us happiness, and records are one of those things.   I just need a jukebox now!