I have been very fortunate to be able to teach for thirty-two years. In those years, I have had some great fellowship with many students. Many have probably forgotten me long ago. Some I still stay in touch with through social media and one particular student (I’ll refer to him as TG) calls me at least once a week. Since his graduation from high school, he has asked me numerous times if I was going to come to his graduation from college. I told him that I would. I told him I needed to know the date and time so I could plan accordingly.
That time came this weekend.
The Trip to Douglas
Buc-ee’s
It’s become a pattern if you read my articles that I always need to stop at a Buc-ee’s. Who wouldn’t once you discover all the awesomeness that is the gas station with a beaver on it?!
I left work at 11:25 on Friday morning. After a couple of quick stops, I made my first fill up at Buc-ee’s in Calhoun, GA. It was packed and had a hard time finding an empty pump. How? They have over a hundred pumps? Anyway, I finally found one. Filled up the tank with gas being $3.69 a gallon. I then used their claim-to-fame clean restroom. My stop at Buc-ee’s is never complete without filling up my 34 oz cup with half sweet tea and half unsweet tea and a club sandwich for the road.
Drive through Atlanta
Usually the drive through Atlanta hits a standstill at several points. I must be living right or everyone decided to use good judgement on Friday, but it was fairly smooth sailing through downtown. However, on the south end in Henry County, the traffic was at a crawl. Luckily, I invested in a Florida Sun Pass transponder last year and it allows me to use the Peach Pass fast lane. While they were stuck driving around 25 mph on the interstate, I was able to drive at a much faster speed for the cost of $1.80. Money well spent in my opinion.
Arrival in Douglas
I made it to Douglas, GA close to 4:30. I went to pick up my former student at his home. His graduation was on Saturday. He informed me about two weeks ago that he wasn’t going to the graduation ceremony. He told me that I didn’t have to come down since he wasn’t walking. I told him that I promised I would come down to celebrate his graduation from college. Instead of going to the ceremony, I took him to his restaurant of choice, the Flyin Cowboy. We both ordered the 16 oz ribeye. I ordered green beans and steamed broccoli with mine while he ordered french fries and mac ‘n cheese. TG loves going here because you get free ice cream after your meal. He had butter pecan while I got cookies and cream, The meal was delicious and the fellowship was even better. He reminisced of the times of me being the corny math teacher.
His Next Chapter
His next chapter in life is quite amazing to me. TG is leaving the mainland and going to live in Puerto Rico. TG has a place to stay for a month and has already paid for it. He will be looking for work when he arrives. He does plan on continuing his education when he gets there.
My Departure
I took this gentleman home. We had a big hug good-bye and I wished him well. He has mentioned on several occasions that he’d like me to attend his wedding ceremony when the time arrives. He also wanted to know if I would come visit him. I have never been to Puerto Rico.
Sounds like another trip is on the horizon. Yeah me!!! If any of our readers have any connections in Puerto Rico for a young lad, let me know.
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Be blessed and safe travels!!!
