What's Next?

 

Happy New Year to me. As I write this blog I am watching Scarface, the 1983 movie staring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeifer with Cuban-born actor Steven Bauer. (Bauer studied at the University of Miami and was a friend of another UM actor, Ray Liotta). The Oliver Stone screenplay and direction of Brian DePalma are a perfect movie for me as I reflect and consider "What's Next?". The movie starts with a bit of historical context about the 125,000 Mariel refugees, many of whom landed in Miami. The movie marks the legacy of drug cartels and violence in my beloved South Florida (notably, Miami Beach). It is hard to believe that was 40 years ago and just after I finished my MBA at the University of Miami.

Like Pacino's character, I find myself in a new place and new circumstances. I broke my contract as a Special Education Teacher for middle schoolers in North Saint Louis and quickly signed on as part of the corps of Kelly Personnel to act as a substitute while I explore options. So far I've been a sub at Special School District Neuwoehner High School and am scheduled to sub at Parkway West High School and Kirkwood High School. I met with the principal of Winfield Middle School about an immediate opening for an Art Teacher. (A welcome change of venue and content area about 30 minutes from my appartment. We'll see if the offer is extended to me.)

Meanwhile, I have been proud of myself as my first year as a widow is about to close. (My wife died peacefully in her sleep on February 3, 2022), My kids and their nuclear families and the Matriarch (my mother in law) have been the foundation of a remarkable support system for me. 

I try to remind myself that I have risen above setbacks and my triumphs have always been as part of an ebb and flow of seemingly random circumstances. I made a note to myself on December 17 that "I should be at an all time low, Instead I am full of hope". 

I am not about to pursue organized crime or seize control of a drug cartel like the lead character in Scarface. I am free to be in the moment, however. I am free to travel a bit (especially when it can coincide with visits to places like Lincoln, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; Ocean, New Jersey; Philadelphia, PA; New York City; Tampa, Florida; Indian Rocks Beach, Florida; Sarasoto, Florida; Cleveland, Ohio. In spite of the less than optiomal weather locally, I can't help acting like I am on a Staycation in my current home town of Saint Louis (with visits to the Saint Louis Art Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park etc.).

As I continue to ponder the question: "What's Next?" I am letting the here and now unfold and letting the notion of being in the moment prevail. This morning I caught a glympse of the Full Wolf Moon. Today the sun was shining and it was a moderate 33 degrees as I walked around Laumeier Sculpture Park.

Stay Tuned.