That fella would mind mice at a crossroads

Good morning.

When I was in school we had a teacher who other teachers – and our parents – frequently referred to as ‘a character’. We always had a general sense of what it meant, but not quite. And as I’ve grown older I find myself using the term ‘a character’, to describe people, feeling that it captures them completely, without fully knowing what I’m saying.

This particular teacher – the character – was on the face of it, not well suited to his chosen profession. He was impulsive around teenage boys, which was often a recipe for disaster. ‘Field trips’ were sprung upon us at a moment’s notice – this was in the days before ‘health and safety’ required a parental consent form for everything. Our kindly headmaster tried to rein him in, but to no avail – this master was a free spirit and acted as he saw fit.

Privately he would scold us for listening to the headmaster: “that fella would mind mice at a crossroads” he would often say – as if being responsible and careful, was a trait entirely unsuited to the teaching profession. But we adored him – especially the fact that he appeared entirely unaware of the invention of the wristwatch. He kept time by means of a very large – and very loud – wind-up bedside alarm clock, that sat on his desk.

Teachers play a very important role in forming young minds of course. Their vocation, is to educate – but it is also to give permission to explore and expand our horizons and open our minds.

So, this morning, I’m grateful for those ‘characters’ who enter our lives at formative times, who have the courage and the comfort to walk to the beat of a different drum.

Amen.