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The Music In Heaven Is Suddenly More Heavenly

7/13/2014

32 Comments

 
I was sitting at a festival enjoying a beautiful morning yesterday when my phone vibrated. I figured it was Katie checking in on me, or CNN reminding me once again that Lebron was going back to Cleveland. It was neither. Instead, it was a dear friend delivering this message: "Mr DJ passed away this morning."

I'm sure I'm not exaggerating when I say thousands of people received a similar message yesterday informing them that Mr. Desjardins had passed away. Many of them, including me, had long ago anointed him as their favorite teacher ever, or at the very least, had acknowledged the impact he'd made on their lives having been in his classroom. That's why many of those messages were met with great sadness. 

I know I was initially sad, but then more reflective. And the more I reflected, the more I was reminded how I too frequently give myself more credit than I really deserve for where I've landed in life. I get so caught up in "me" celebrations that I overlook the paths I've been blessed to cross in my life, many of them where people have walked that are far more deserving of praise and gratitude for the me I've become than I am. I think from time to time we all get swept away in the current of forward progress - a current so swift it makes it hard to look back at the seemingly meaningless streams of yesterday that give life a current at all. Much too often I'm swept away from remembering how much an elementary school teacher has shaped the life of a 50 year old father of two elementary school children of his own -  some forty years later.  

In one of life's cruel ironies, it's often when a great man like Mr. Desjardins passes on that many of us push life's pause button and then rewind. When we do, though, we recognize clips from our past - lessons we've been taught - laughter we've shared - as far more integral to where we are now and where we're going than we ever imagined. In those moments of reflection, maybe for a memory or two we don't feel as far removed from those days as life tends to convince us we are. I know that was the case with me yesterday.

In those days, Mr. Desjardins was considered, how shall we say it -  an unconventional teacher. Today, though, he'd be considered a raging lunatic and in direct opposition to current public education philosophies. I find that sad. There's no question I packed away more of Mr. DJ's lessons in my suitcase for this life journey I'm on than those I received from all other teachers combined, to include my college professors. And please understand, I had some great teachers I greatly admire to this day. 

Granted, I wasn't the easiest student a teacher could have. I was never a big fan of school, at least the learning part. The act of learning itself was never exciting enough for me, so I usually found ways to create my own classroom adventures. Mr. Desjardins seemed to understand that about me; he seemed to assume it was the case with every student. If the kids in his class weren't excited about learning, he saw that as a teacher problem. Instead of hopelessly writing us all off as poor students or worse, he dug deeper for more creative and exciting ways to engage us. 

Mr. Desjardins' most powerful teaching tool was no doubt music. He spent hours of our classroom time teaching students to play musical instruments - mostly the accordion, harmonica and melodica. To this day I'm not sure how he got away with that; I can only guess it's because principals and parents and anyone else who might have taken exception to it couldn't dispute the fact that the more his students got interested in music, the more they got interested in reading, writing, and arithmetic. 

In addition to the music, we baked cookies in class. They made great prizes for those who were quickest to locate the words in their dictionaries Mr. Desjardins called out, or towns in various states we raced to find using a simple and now antiquated atlas and the indexes of towns in the back of it. The guy loved competition. Outside of the times when he was playing the accordion, I'm not sure I ever saw him smile bigger than when he was watching one of our fiercely contested kickball games on the playground. 

I reflected on many of these things and more yesterday. But in recalling all the memories and lessons, one thing stuck out I'm not sure I ever thought about before. And maybe it was his greatest lesson. Whatever we were doing, Mr. Desjardins encouraged all of us to be involved. For those who couldn't afford musical instruments, he loaned them his. The rich and the poor, the big and small, the brown and white - we were all Mr. Desjardins' students. He never tried to hide the fact that he thought we were the best students in the school, he never quit driving home the fact that each of us were special.  Every single one of us. 

I have this belief about heaven. When we get there, we discover for the first time, in brilliant detail, just how much we impacted the world we left behind. All of the lives we touched, many that we were completely unaware of, come alive in an eternal highlight reel. Today, Mr. Desjardins is beginning to watch his life story, and maybe for the first time understanding that by touching the lives of his students, he touched the lives of their children and their children's children. You can be sure his is a long highlight reel, but it's a story he deserves to watch from beginning to the never ending end. I know it will make him smile; he always loved seeing his students do well. 

Driving to church this morning, my 7 year old son Elliott asked if there was a reason we didn't have the music on. Elliott's inherited the love and ear for music taught to me by Mr. Desjardins. I turned the music up. And as it played, I couldn't help but believe that as beautiful as the band must be in heaven, this weekend their music just go a whole lot more heavenly.


Enjoy your show Mr. Desjardins. I look forward to catching the reruns with you one day.   
 
32 Comments
Lisa Smith Weber
7/13/2014 01:08:38 pm

Keith, This is absolutely beautiful! I have been revisiting all of these memories as well. He will be greatly missed!

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Keith Cartwright
7/13/2014 07:40:59 pm

Thanks Lisa. I saw your pictures. They brought back wonderful memories as well.

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Tonya Miller-Thomas `86
7/13/2014 08:59:44 pm

Keith, thank you for putting in words what so many of us are thinking. You are a gifted writer.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:22:06 am

Thank you Tonya. I love writing, especially when it can capture what others are thinking and feeling as well. I hope you're well.

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Rick Stokes
7/13/2014 10:05:22 pm

Thank you! You said it well. This is from a brother-in-law and sister of Mr DJ.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:24:16 am

So sorry for you and your wife's loss Rick. Mr. DJ was one cool teacher long before any of us ever figured out what cool was. I have two young boys myself now. I'm grateful some small part of Mr. DJ's influence on my life will live on in them. Bless you my friend.

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Michelle Byers
7/13/2014 10:46:17 pm

Beautifully written, Keith. The best tribute to Mr. DJ is to pass on that love of life he instilled in all of his students.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:27:53 am

Thank you Michelle. And that's a tribute I can live up to. I hope The Byers family is well.

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Tonya Lapp Grove
7/13/2014 11:02:54 pm

Beautifully written Keith. Your words mirrored so many of my own thoughts.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:29:38 am

Thanks Tonya. When I was writing it, I had hopes I could speak for many folks I knew were feeling the exact same things and pouring through very similar memories. We were very blessed to have Mr. DJ and so many wonderful teachers in our lives. Take care my friend.

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Nancy Kay Hess Powell link
7/14/2014 12:36:59 am

Beautifully said - thank you. He was amazing...

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:31:06 am

Every time I see you post something about playing your accordion I think of Mr. DJ. So glad you continue to play and carry on his legacy in a way that I know had to make him smile. Keep on playing!

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Timothy Cheeseman
7/14/2014 12:49:57 am

This was delightful to read this morning and I appreciate it. John really was a remarkable man. I had breakfast with him several years ago and was able to share the impact he had on my life, particularly professional, and I am so thankful. Great stuff dude.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:33:11 am

Hey Tim. Good for you my friend. Too often we don't get the chance to let folks know how much they influenced our lives. It's a shame, because nothing does the heart more good than knowing we truly are making some sort of difference in this crazy world, and that guy sure did. Thanks for your comments Tim. So awesome to hear from you.

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Whitney Foust Reed
7/14/2014 01:44:49 am

Couldn't have put this any better. Mr DJ truly helped shape me into the person I am today. He will be greatly missed!

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:35:02 am

And I think more than anything Mr. DJ would expect all of us he shaped to be committed to shaping others. I have no doubt you are.

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Markie
7/14/2014 01:52:35 am

Thank you Keith. You were always very special to him.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:38:19 am

Prayers for you and your family Markie. Outside of my dad and grandfathers, Mr. DJ was probably the first man to have a significant impact on my life. So much of it lives on today, and from many of the comments here and elsewhere, it's clear his influence is widespread and growing. I'll be praying for God's peace to comfort you in the days ahead. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your comment. It means the world to me.

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Tammy Oiler Milesky
7/14/2014 01:54:36 am

Loved reading your thoughts that are shared by all of us. I was able to spend time reminiscing with him during Bryan's funeral..what a great man, husband, father and to all of us an unforgettable loving teacher. I will miss sending him post cards from all the states my daughters travel to play soccer. I truely belive it is on temporary that we arent together that we will all be playing all the instruments again and dancing in our wooden shoes that I still have in my classroom:)

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:42:08 am

Hey Tammy. First, I was saddened to learn of Bryan's passing. But not surprised to learn of how hard that guy fought to the end. I imagine Mr.. DJ and Bryan are catching up about now. How would you like to be a fly on a wall listening to that conversation - it could be a real entertainer. I'm with you. Our time here is for but a blink of an eye, and then the big reunion. Good hearing from you. Bless you.

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Michele L Blake
7/14/2014 02:07:13 am

I played the autoharp in his class and loved it. I also liked the map races and play with my 10 year old son and he asked where I learned how to map race and I tell him from the best teacher ever, Mr. DJ. RIP .

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:43:55 am

I've had a couple of folks comment they're playing the map game with their kids. Very cool. I think I'll head out and get me a map. And you'd better believe I'll be crushing my kids at that game. I think I've still got it. Take care Michele.

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Amy Wilson Long 87
7/14/2014 04:32:56 am

That was such a nice article. I also wanted to rush out and by an accordion and wooden shoes!!! I loved him to death in 6th grade! He will be missed by many!

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:45:10 am

Thank you Amy. I have a funny feeling lots of folks dusted off some old instruments the last couple of days. Thanks again for your kind words.

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Brian Powell
7/14/2014 05:40:59 am

I have only met Mr. DJ one time in my life and that was last year when he attended a small get togehter at my home. My wife, Kay, was one if his students and he was there to visit her and the other people in attendance. We were all there to share our love for music. He had a presence about him that was very positive and passionate. Kay had learned to play the accordian from him when she was in kindergarden and now she is an accomplished feisianna musician and loves every minute of it. He made a huge impact on her life than and it is still present in her everytime she picks up the accordian to play. I wish I had spent more time getting to know him last year but at least I get to see the fruits of his labor everytime Kay plays. God Bless you Keith for putting into words what Kay and anybody else who knew him have had on their minds for the past few days.

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 07:48:20 am

Brian. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I think it only took one time meeting that guy to know what he was all about. He was a good soul. Kay is blessed to have someone who encourages her with her music, and man are you blessed to have a front row seat to hear it. Again, bless you pal for taking time to comment. It's always very cool to meet new people and hear their stories.

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Bill Farmwaled - '87'
7/14/2014 07:58:06 am

Mr DJ was one in a milion. He, left a positive impression on every person I've ever heard mention his name.
He will be missed...

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 08:15:51 am

Absolutely Bill! The world could use a few more of him these days.

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Cortney Ball-Hooker
7/14/2014 08:29:05 am

Wow was that powerful, and moving!! I too find myself thinking a lot about those memories, he was an AMAZING teacher, and I will never forget everything he taught to all his students!! RIP and Fly High Mr. DJ, You will always be missed but never forgotten!!

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Keith Cartwright
7/14/2014 09:56:44 am

Nope. Never forgotten. Like you, I'm grateful for the many memories Courtney.

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Jennifer Picklesimon
7/16/2014 10:11:30 am

Mr. DJ was the teacher that influenced me the most. We danced in class, we played music in class, we learned how to socialize. He taught skills that most people take for granted. Its sad that he has passed but I'm sure he will still make a difference in every person he touches, then and now!

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Keith Cartwright
7/16/2014 10:36:53 am

"skills that most people take for granted" - well said. And you're right, Jennifer, his difference will live on forever.

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  • Keith Cartwright
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