Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Thanks, Students

Thank you, my former students, "pour les bons mots" toward me in your---what's it called?---Facebook thingamajig (I don't understand computers these days). It is an overwhelming, pleasant surprise to be so remembered by you. I also see pictures of the young children of some of you. I can only hope you teach them to keep their shirts tied, shoelaces out their mouth, and gum tucked---or shirts tucked, shoelaces tied, and gum out of mouth---whatever the saying is.

To those few of you who had only "les mots mauvais" for me, I must apologize. I apologize for not having made it sufficiently clear to you years ago that the very purpose of a gargoyle is to frighten, not calm; to roar, not mutter; to criticize, not praise; to bite, not kiss; to complicate, not simplify; to rattle, not hug. No wonder I never enjoyed saying the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.

Ahhh, there, I feel better already.

-Old Gargoyle

7 comments:

rebeccaouellet said...

Greetings former teacher! I just joined the group "All Hail the Great Dr. Bollich" on Facebook and found your blog link there. I must say, former teacher, that you WERE one of the best I ever had. I so enjoyed your class. I still impress my husband with my knowledge of world religions regularly. Also, I noticed one of your "interests" as listed on your profile page is Quebec. My husband Jean is from Quebec City and we visit there regularly. Most of his family is still there, but we do still live in Lafayette. I hope you are doing well. I love your profile picture too. I might make it my screen saver on my computer...
Love, a former student, Rebecca Perrin Ouellet (1990)

Sarah said...

Dr. Bollich,
You are a legend! It was so fun to see your "fan page" on Facebook and read other people's fond memories. I always got a kick out of the responses you wrote on the sketches/cartoons on the back of my test paper. My favorite sketch was of Pope John Paul II sleeping during Bob Dylan's performance... and I'm sure you had some clever remark back.

Thank you for being such an excellent teacher!

Sarah Bull Hecox, STM 1998

JDSokol said...

Dr. Bollich,

I know I was a pain during my senior year of '99, but looking back on high school, you were the most influential teacher that I had. You sparked an interest in world theology that took me to new heights of exploration. Though at times unorthodox, your witty humor and teaching methods made a lasting impression. Thanks for everything.

Jeff Sokol, STM Class of 1999

Old Gargoyle said...

May the Lord throw all kinds of good blessings left and right on you, Jeff Tokol.

Anonymous said...

Dr B,

Thank you for what is quite possibly the most important gift one individual can impart on another, knowledge. I enjoyed every second of class my senior year and can only hope to impress upon my children what you impressed on me and my fellow students, always, always, always learn.

I can't watch a fight anymore without wondering if someone will ask me a trivia question some years down the road and how many GLEBs it might be worth.

Godspeed, well wishes, and always your student.

Brandon B. Pitre, STM '98

Unknown said...

If, indeed, you are a fan of La Belle Province, as fellow former student Rebecca suggests, then why not tarry north with the Little Woman and stay with my wife and I in wintry Montreal? Though I graduated a mere (compared to my fellow commenters) six years ago, I still have my binder full of notes from your class, and have since developed a stronger appreciation for both Bob Dylan and my (apparent) neighbor, Leonard Cohen. I echo the love, respect, and admiration of my fellow alumnae.

--Marty Sartini Garner, '03

Old Gargoyle said...

To: Marty

Student Marty, you are indeed too kind in inviting the little woman and me to atop the Royal Mount. Unfortunately, such big cities now frighten the Gargoyle, and the surrounding snow reminds him of all the milk of magnesia which he constantly has to take just to stay alive (a by-product of eating too many beets and squash from my farm).