Reflections on the May 20 Fire at Garfield High School

Hello everyone,

Because the internet was (I want to use the word:) fried by the recent fire, I haven't been able to communicate through email. Freddy Apodaca, Roy Marquez, and a crew of people I don't know worked energetically to get it back up and now I'm back. (In fact, it's taken me longer to get to it than it took them to get it working.)

Speaking of Freddie and Roy reminds me of a custodial corps that can be described only as heroic--men and women who did their regular jobs, worked extra to make our lives livable, and helped to make the main building as accessible and safe as possible. There has been an astounding amount of cleaning that is not immediately apparent because it has been done when we weren't on campus. Be grateful to them for what they have done over long hours with insufficient sleep.

I have a vast array of powerful, often conflicting, often inappropriate feelings that are associated with what has happened to us. Today a deep sadness has settled over me. As you know, I had a long and intimate acquaintance with the auditorium. I knew its beauties as well as its quirks and weaknesses. I am almost surprised that my feelings are so strong; it is for me as if a fully human personality has been stilled.

But I realized in one of my late conversations with Mr. Del Cueto that, regardless of my feelings, I have work to do, and I must sublimate everything personal that comes from this so that I can better do what is required of me. Professionals in law enforcement, fire fighting, and medicine do this all the time. They wouldn't be able to serve if they didn't. They do their jobs, finish their paperwork, counsel their clients, and educate the public. We must do the same.

Teachers are trained to work on the usual crises of childhood and adolescence (indeed, we cause many of those crises ourselves whenever we attempt to be rigorous). We usually rely on outsiders to help with the major things.

Now, we've been called to help with a major thing.

And I am proud to see how you've all risen to the occasion. You not only comfort your students, you comfort me when I'm in your classes.

Another thing that has thrust itself upon me over and over during the past week is what many of you have said to me in both Spanish and English. I prefer the English expression, "There is a silver lining behind every cloud." I joked at first that, at least on the positive side, the rotten old light board is gone. The truth in the joke is that we will get a beautiful new auditorium.

Better than that, however, is the outpouring of love and support that have come to the school and to many of us personally. Better is the strength that the school and the community show. Better is the will to be proactive and move forward. It makes me want to stop nursing my hurt, get out of my fetal position, and get back to the human race.

Jeff Combe