The big day. Exsel graduates elementary school! He is in the last 6th grade class in Elysian Heights Elementary School’s 100 year history. (It will become a K-5 arts magnet next year)

I remember the 1st day we got there, May 2015, the very end of the school year. I found out that I HAD to bring him to school, otherwise he would be “truant”! So we arrived just down the street from us on Baxter & Echo Park – to this sweet old school, elementary school. He would get to attend the last 2 weeks of 2nd grade – with absolutely no English!

We sat in the office, the 3 of us (Surya, me, & Exsel), on a hard wooden bench, waiting for Principal Garza (pictured in the suit & tie), next to a small, shy looking boy. I asked him his name. It was Miguel, he was from the Philippines, and lo and behold, he was in Mr. Garcia’s 2nd grade class, the very one Exsel was destined for.

I introduced Miguel to Exsel and “told” him that he had to be Exsel’s protector and friend, and that he “had to” introduce Exsel to all his friends. Miguel was a bit taken aback, but…. he agreed. And… he kept his word, shepherding Exsel around for the last 2 weeks of 2nd grade…. on his way to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, after which Miguel moved to Burbank…. to where I now ferry Exsel several times a month for “play dates”. Good friends never die, eh?

Mr. Garcia was a great teacher and went so far, in those last 2 weeks of 2nd grade, as to download an Indonesian translation app so he and Exsel could communicate better. Exsel had Mr. Garcia again in 3rd grade, where he did a costumed & funny report as “King Tut” (a routine which will live long in the annals of the school’s memory), and today, we snuck into Mr. Garcia’s classroom for a farewell/”come back to visit” parting photo.

There was Ms. Jiansakul in 4th grade, Mrs. Miller in 5th grade, and the estimable Mr. Szabo (otherwise known as “Mr. Sassy Pants” and pictured here giving Exsel his “Most Improved Reader” award today).

All of his teachers were kind, patient, and helpful, and Exsel was lucky to have each of them, although they may not have been so lucky “having me”!

Overall, I can’t say how lucky I feel having watched Exsel “grow up” these last 4 years at Elysian Heights. I’ve watched him learn English and math, adjust, flourish, and assimilate into a completely foreign culture, make good friends that he will always remember, and generally charm the pants off everyone at school. It hasn’t been without its bumps and bruises, tears and complaints, or without his “Pak Trules”-enforced (the name he calls me, silent “k”) daily homework assignments (naturally, every evening AFTER school, and every morning BEFORE school), but hey, once a teacher, always a teacher, right?

Those of you who are parents know the routine – the hard work and thick skins, the patience & resolve, the wins & losses. But having come to it so late in life, so unexpectedly, I can only say again how grateful I am for… becoming a father. The boy is the light of my life. He makes me laugh and keeps me young. And best of all… I still have a few years left….

 

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