I have always wanted to go to Alaska. Having cancer and not knowing how long I would be around, we decided (with the help of my son-in-law and daughter) to make plans to go to Alaska. Being naïve about what’s out there, we opted for a cruise. I will get to that later.
Why, you ask would I want to go to Alaska? Well, I wrote a column for the Hazen Star, where I was employed as a graphic artist, explaining this long-time desire. It has to do with my high school biology teacher Bryan Dinkins.
After reading my column, Judy Dinkins, through some detective work, deduced that I was Sue (Susan) Kaseman, from Gackle where Judy and Bryan taught in the 1970s.
How does one find someone they think they know in this electronic age? Well, first you read the paper, then you think, “I have to know that person.” Then, remembering that I had mentioned Gackle before, Judy digs out a yearbook from I would surmise 1972 or ’73. That provided my maiden name but not my contact info.
Somewhere along the line, Judy, who also taught school in Gackle, recalled my mentioning Charity Lutheran Church, where her brother-in-law and his wife, Paul and Beryl Dinkins, attended as members. So, Judy called the church, and they gave her my phone number. She called and we had a delightful conversation.
During those 20 minutes on the phone, I discovered my influential science teacher passed away in 2006, at the early age of 62, he used to live in Alaska, was an avid birder, and was as brilliant as the “mad scientist” we all thought he was. That memory-stirring call triggered my brain’s search engine. And off I went down memory lane. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.
Here I was, back at Gackle High School, slamming lockers and bounding up and down the worn wooden steps of an ancient three-story brick building, never paying as much attention to my teachers as I should have. Little did I know that someday I would be recalling geometry and biology as I sewed, wove, and gardened. I guess growing old is part of my education.
It’s hard to imagine your teachers have lives outside of the classroom when you are a student. I remember Mr. Dinkins taking us to the park to practice keeping field notes; he also jumped off the table in the science classroom once for whatever reason I cannot recall (Judy said it was a demonstration of gravity). He gave us the assignment to design a spaceship which most of us missed the mark as he said only a round spaceship could sustain life in the vast void above our heads. That’s where I wanted to be – out the door, in the sky, experiencing all things not contained in our small community of Gackle. Yes, I love Star Trek, Star Wars and Grogu.
Without realizing Mr. Dinkins lived in Alaska, I loved all the talk about life occupying an Alaskan tide pool; I have always wanted to go to Alaska. I thought maybe I would get there someday. I didn’t know it would take a cancer diagnosis to decide to spend the money on that cruise.
And, about that cruise. I am not a cruise person. I wanted to experience Alaska, as Joel did in Northern Exposure. Instead, we spent to much time on the ship, sailing, swimming, drinking, eating, being merry and gambling. Well, not so much gambling as I am German you know. The best part of the cruise was spending time with my daughter and her family. I loved watching them interact and have a good time.
To make the trip, I had to adjust my meds so I wouldn’t be ill at an inopportune time on the boat. It was after we returned, that I reset my medication schedule, and lo and behold I started feeling better. I feel great (It has something to do with the garden).
All this reminiscing is bittersweet and sometimes filled with regrets. You know, questions you didn’t ask, acts of kindness left on the table, words you can never take back, not getting to know the people in your life.
We are, after all, only human, and I have not stopped learning something new each day of my life. That being said, the saddest quote I have recently saved is an African proverb, “When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.” Sad, but how true.
Now that’s something to think about if you still have grandparents. Everyone has a story to tell, and life is so short, please don’t pass up the opportunity to get to know someone or something new every day.
PS: Mrs. Dinkins (Judy), if you are reading this essay again, thank you for the memories.
INDYchildrendotme 
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