The Belt Buckle Fan Club

School will be out soon. It really doesn't matter much to me since I no longer have a child in school. But, it got me to thinking about Joe. For those of you who do not know, Joe began substitute teaching earlier this year so he's been doing it for a few months now. This has been his first foray into higher education in some time. As intelligent a man as he is, having graduated from Indiana University Law School, you would most likely think he'd go for the older kids. Kids he could stimulate by his witty repartee and facts and knowledge (and useless trivia). If you did think that, you'd be so dead wrong as Mr. Weaver has been subbing for the young ones - PreK up to as high as 6th grade. He has subbed each grade level now primarily being the "teacher" in the classroom, but has also subbed as a "parapro" and even "THE GYM TEACHER"!!! He has been "THE GYM TEACHER" multiple times at a local school which has afforded him the opportunity to have had every child in the entire school on multiple occasions. Because of this, the little "snot-pickers" (his words, not mine and where do you think he came up with that name?) have become his own official Belt Buckle Fan Club. I gave it this name due to the fact that most of the children he has taught only come up to his belt buckle and even with his cleverly disguised suspenders lifting the waist of his pants to their highest level, that's still a short standard for most of the snot-pickers to come up to.

Because of the fact that he has become acquainted with all the children of this school, Mr. Weaver has developed such a following that it is almost virtually impossible to go out into the public sector any longer without him being recognized. In case you did not know, Joe's glasses are "transition lenses" which mean they turn into sunglasses in the glare of the day. By doing so, Mr. Weaver has been given a certain sense of anonymity when appearing in public outside. However, it's when he enters a building and as his sunglasses revert to regular glasses it's then that the frenzy usually begins. Mild mannered Joe becomes the very popular Mr. Weaver who is adored by his fans and introduced to thongs of mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and friends and anyone who will listen to the adulation's of his frenzied fan. Mr. Weaver smiles and his rosy cheeks become rosier and he laughs a laugh that sounds like a man in Santa in training and glows in the limelight of his notoriety. He shakes the hands of those friends and family members, pats the child on the head and shows a cute little "aw shucks" expression when returning back to me.

When dropping Mr. Weaver off at school, it is also interesting to watch the eyes of the children and you can see the eagerness in their eyes as they see Mr. Weaver emerge from his car seat behind the smoked glass. There is a sense of anticipation in what he may be carrying that blue tote bag he's become famous for. What exciting things might be hidden inside - a reward, a new book, anything out of the ordinary? You can feel their excitement when they lean over to the person next to them and express delight to see him by pointing and smiling. However, there are furrowed brows also exhibited by the children as they wonder this day who will be the lucky recipients of his wit and charm. You can see by the smiles and glee's of laughter that some one's day has just been elevated to a much higher standard. This day will have the potential for being better than they ever imagined. This day can even be better than a Friday!

You can tell that Mr. Weaver puts his all into his responsibilities. He arrives home most days with barely enough strength to put food to mouth. The rosy has disappeared from his cheek like a piece of bubblegum that still looks new, but the flavor was drained several hours earlier. You know he will sleep well tonight. You know the snoring decibels will be louder than usual. He arrives home with tales that would rival the slaying of a dragon, but you know he's willing to return to fight the dragon another day. After all, why would he want to disappoint The Belt Buckle Fan Club in this school or the many others whose halls he has navigated? He tells stories about books he read, questions he answered, games he played, lesson plans that almost were completed.

He too, has learned lessons. He's learned you never offer to help one child hang upside down from the monkey bars unless you want to help hang twenty-something more. He's learned there is no such thing as proper hand washing since soap placed on a child's hand never survives long enough to make suds. He's learned that snot of any color or form can be placed anywhere a child wants to put it. He's learned he is an oddity. He looks like - wow, a grandfather! (And, you don't see many grandfathers in school except when it's time to celebrate Grandparents Day). He's learned he can leave the house fresh as a daisy, but has returned many times with a strange green sheen on his trousers - especially in the colder months. And, unfortunately sometimes he's brought the love of The Belt Buckle Fan Club home with him in the form of a cold or the onset of the flu. But, do you think that keeps him down - not on your life. He's ready for action quicker than you can say "Kleenex and Nyquil".

Why do you think he keeps going back? Is it the money? (Have you checked the subbing pay lately)? I say no. Is it what he thought it would be? I doubt it. I say he does it because it gives him purpose. I say it's because he enjoys what the children bring to his life; their energy, their exuberance of youth, the genuine love of daily discovery. I say it gives him the chance to be grandfather for some who know of no such person, as well as the chance to have surrogate grandchildren since his live far away. I say it gives him a willing audience for his litany of mind-boggling facts and witty sayings. I say it gives him a place where he is the recipient of pure adoration for whatever he says or does. And, isn't that what we all want?

So, some time when you're up town, check out the impromptu meetings of The Belt Buckle Fan Club. It could happen at Wal-Mart, the grocery store or check out the action at CiCi's Pizza. You'll enjoy what you see and it will bring a smile to your face. The Belt Buckle Fan Club arrives en mass and everyone is happy again even if school is not in session.