In 2012, I decided the best way to spend my birthday was at school-for a talk given by Dr. This is not an answer for Jeopardy: What is the plural for "Aquarius?" I ask because Matt and I have birthdays that are but a few days apart in February. It was joy to hear who he knew, what he knew and though we didn't always agree (he came around to Klay Thompson later than I did) he was a true, loyal fan. He knew all basketball, but most especially Warriors basketball inside and out. Matt didn't need this encyclopedia because he was one. My alibi never waffled, wavered or changed. For years, he reminded me of what I tried to keep without asking. I looked at this "bible" and thought to myself "who knows, I may need to reference this." As soon as Matt unpacked his books, he came back to Room 202 looking for that one. I boxed up his belongings but I managed to keep a basketball encyclopedia of his. On the back shelf near my new desk, he left a number of books. Yet one year later, I moved into a classroom Matt was leaving. This was not always true, but it was always funny. I listened and in the years since, if it was appropriate, I would remind him that I too could go "toe to toe" with him. I gave back to him what he always gave to me. Ever the professional, Matt was surprised that he might need to do that. In that conversation, she told Matt that she too was an English major and could go "toe to toe" with him. As fate would have it, this student's mother called for a meeting with several of her daughter's teachers. I turned to him regularly for advice on how to work best with this young woman. Matt and I ended up in different classroom the next year but our paths continued to cross. I am grateful to those who really do listen. In Matt, I am reminded to be grateful for the people with whom I share space today. People leave impressions on our hearts and in our memories. When you share space-whether its a classroom, the board room, a home or a neighbor with another person-you get to know them in unexpected ways. Matt was a trusted colleague-a true ally. When and if I shared something a little more personal he was able to take it in and offer thoughtful, caring feedback. He was super smart sans any trace of arrogance or pride. I know this "act" was an extension of his intelligence. He was stone faced and would offer a cutting quip or backlash that got me every time. He would take in my complaints and respond with no guile or emotion. I can still see myself turning to him with the issues in our shared space. Any annoying reality was fodder for his astute, dry humor. In Matt, I knew that I had a friend who was always willing to hear me out and let me vent. Rather than yell, I pivoted toward quiet seat work. The sound of drills and directive made it impossible to teach. For whatever reason, the maintenance crew did this during class time. This proved to be problematic a lot, but most especially when the school decided to cover the front of the nearly four story building with a banner for the sesquicentennial. Located in the front corner of the building, I doubt it has any insulation for temperature or sound. They taught English and I was in there for the junior Ethics, Morality and Society Justice course. I shared a classroom for a year with Matt and another good friend, Dan. I hope in some way this remembrance is a worthy prayer. This blog post is but a few examples of what I love to remember about Matt. And I offer these words because on October 16, 2023, a former colleague and friend-Matt Balano died of Esophageal cancer.
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