An Idea: This agnostic believes in angels…horribly, a whole first grade class full of angels. First graders are already perfect. They know how to postpone bedtime, they tell a good knock knock joke and have perfect ears that rest just so on stuffed animals as they sleep. First graders begin to space themselves (a little) on the soccer field and can run a mile. They do chores and act bravely in the emergency room. They create beautiful art, dance, mimic accents, organize lemonade stands, sing in choruses, ride bikes, skin knees, safeguard siblings and ask you how your day was. They are perfect. Angelhood could have waited. Silent nights are overrated.
A Person: But if it has to be, I hope that my friend Kirk Orrell is there to meet them. We taught sailing together during a perfect Cape summer in 1984. Kirk was a graduate of Philips Andover and Davidson. He was a talented drummer and brilliant. He restored a 1967 Plymouth Sport Fury III to un-preppy perfection. Each morning the Plymouth picked me up for work and we cranked Steppin’ Out by Steel Pulse, the anthem of that golden moment, while Kirk drummed on the dash with open hands. Kirk made our students smile and laugh. His light just shined brighter and the kids loved him. Kirk died after a brief illness in 2001 leaving a wife and daughter. He was 35. Kirk, take good care of them.
231 Full refund due to all readers for not observing word count rule!
