Eulogy

Adapting to my disability

 My mother never "babied" me. Through her I learned to do as much as I could on my own, and never, never seek sympathy.

I was always very competitive. I was blessed with speed, quickness, agility, and surprisingly strength. I had this burning desire and need to be, "just as good if not better athletically than the next guy". This drove me to work harder and harder and harder to be successful on the athletic field. I played on or coached several winning baseball, basketball, and football. I became an excellent bowler winning many trophies and bowling several perfect games. I excelled in championship teams. My competitive nature even extended into the classroom where I strived to be the best student in the class.

College and Adventures

I knew as early as 2nd grade that I wanted to become a teacher.

I attended San Jose City College and then San Jose State University where I earned my degree and taught credentials.

All during this time I never asked for or received any financial help with pay for all my needs. I remember one semester at San Jose State where I survived on popcorn and coffee because that was all I could afford.

Between my junior year and senior year at San Jose State, I decide to take a little R&R and travel. I sold my car to finance my trip and off I went. I traveled to Luxembourg, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, England, and Switzerland. While traveling from Paris to Geneva I was met at the train station by two policemen. I was interrogated, strip searched and then put on the next train back to France. It seems that because my passport showed I had been to Turkey, they thought I was smuggling drugs.

While in Turkey I was on a train that was robbed by men on horseback, that was exciting.

While in Greece I decided to head back to Italy. Good decision because there was a military coup the following day and the borders were sealed for the next few months.

Teaching

I started my career in 1970 at Mildred Goss School teaching a 3/4 combination class.

Over the next 36 years I taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades starting at Goss School and ending at Lyndale School. The bulk of my career was spent teaching 5th and 6th grades. As a side note, I taught 7th grade for six years. They had to be the most difficult, most challenging years, yet they were the most rewarding.

Being in the classroom as a teacher can be at times frustrating, enlightening, joyous, sad, and funny. Those moments when you see the "light bulb going on" and the smile it generates in a student's eyes because, you can hardly wait for the next day to arrive. 

Now, as all teachers know there are things that happen in the classroom that make you laugh so hard, that it stays in your memory banks forever. I'd like to refer to one of my favorite incidents that occurred early on in my career. 

Memorable Teaching Moments

At the time I was teaching 6th grade at Lyndale School. As was my practice, I was usually the first to arrive on campus. What amazed me at the time was the number of youngin's who were already there. Mind you it was usually still dark. Well, to provide a little warmth and most importantly safety I'd let them into my room until other teachers arrived. The only rule was that they had to sit at one of my tables and color some pictures I provided or complete their homework, just don't bother me while I'm at the chalkboard. Two regulars were these two little second grade girls, cute as buttons. This one Monday morning they came into the classroom, said, "Hello Mr. Maggi" and sat down at the table. This is the conversation I overheard:

Little Girl #1: "Did you go to church yesterday?"

Little Girl #2: "Yes I did. My Mommy got me up really early and we were in church all day long. When I got home I was so tired I went right to my room and fell asleep." 

Little Girl #1: "That's pretty interesting. By the way, what religion are you?" 

Little Girl #2: "I don't know. We're either Catholics or Prostitutes". 

Needless to say I dropped the chalk and began laughing so hard I almost choked. What's that saying, "Out of the mouths of babes..."

Afterlife

During my new journey I want to see if angels really do have wings.

Did I have a guardian angel, and if so, what was his/her name.

Does my grandfather still make wine.

I'd like to meet my dad's real mother.

Can I shake Abraham Lincoln's hand.

Are there really "worm holes" in space.

Is there life on other planets.

I'd like to meet Michelangelo, Leonardo de Vinci, Anne Frank, Steve Allen, Babe Ruth, but most of all I'd want to hug my mother, aunt stinky, and cousin Pattie.

Final Thought

Those of you who saw me in my advanced age saw skinny arms and legs, wrinkled skin, stooped shoulders, no hair and a labored walk. That, my friends was, just the gift wrap hiding the jewel beneath. For you youngin's out there, it might be a good idea to interact more with your parents, uncles, and aunts and look beyond the "gift wrap" and embrace the jewels that are there for you to learn from, use, share, and hopefully pass on.

I have many more stories like that but in order to hear them you'll have to join me in my new home. When you get there, look me up, or just ask anyone you meet there,

"Where can I find the teacher?"