Day 581

This Therapy Dog journey, along with "Walking With Goldens," has brought such joy and many surprises to my life. Last night was no exception!

Being in-between Holiday Gatherings, we attacked Christmas cards in the dining room and set up a wrapping center in the front hall. It has been such a joy to work in those two rooms with the Christmas music blaring and the trees and decorations adding beauty as well. It truly is such a magical time of year!

Some people have "Ring" to let them know someone is at the door...we have "BARK" (credit to Jimmy) to alert us to a visitor! All four of our "barkers" went off simultaneously! Scurrying about to sequester each pup in a safe place so our guest would not be licked, jumped on or loved within an inch of their lives, we finally were prepared to open the door. What a surprise awaited!

For most of my District 11 teaching career, I had the privilege of having Stan Peichel for my principal. This man had the unique ability to run a successful school while empowering the teachers to make choices in their classroom based on their personal knowledge of the children. Of course, it was a different time, but everyone had fun and seemed to learn everything that was required.

This principal was supportive of just about anything his teachers wanted...as long as it was positive for kids. For example, he led a massive Easter Egg Hunt by keying into the loudspeakers in all of the 1st grade classrooms and announcing:

"The Coon Rapids Police have had reports of a large, furry animal hopping around the woods behind the school. Would there be any 1st graders who would be willing to go out and investigate?"

Holy Moly! About 100 little ones erupted and exited the building with screams of delight! The teachers had placed bags of candy along a wooded trail, so they did find evidence for the police!

Another time, he came in to be interviewed by a classroom filled with all of our first graders. They had been prepared to ask the questions diligently recorded on their little clip boards and all went well...for a bit:

Student 1: "Mr. Peichel, why did you become a principal?"

Mr. Peichel: "I love education and working with children."

Student 2: "Mr. Peichel, do you have children of your own?"

Mr. Peichel: "Yes, I have two sons and a daughter."

Student 3: "Do you love your children?"

Mr. Peichel: "Yes, I love them very much!"

Student 4: "Do you love the teachers at our school?"

Mr. Peichel: "Yes, you could say I love them as friends and as your

amazing teachers."

Student 5: "Mr. Peichel, do you love Mrs. Good (my name then)?"

Mr. Peichel: "Yes, I love all of your teachers."

By now, the teachers were shaking their heads and trying not to laugh. This is when it really took a turn.

Student 6: "What is your favorite book?"

Mr. Peichel: "I love the book I am reading at the time."

Student 7: "What is your favorite body part?"

All eyes were on our leader...many adult eyebrows raised!

Mr. Peichel: "My favorite body part is my brain. It lets me think."

What a guy! If you had asked the teachers, we all would have said we certainly loved our principal!

Last night, Stan, and his lovely wife Sandy, braved our "House of Goldens" to deliver the pillow being held by Miss Lilly in the photo. It has been over twenty years since we worked together, yet his heart is still as big as ever! What a lovely gift they delivered. What a lovely gift he offered to all of us lucky enough to be under the same school roof! Thank you, Stan. You are one in a million!