Dug a Hole

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Jedi Juggler

A sure sign of a Jedi Juggler on the correct path at ISB is the rings around the neck. Devon has to juggle the rings 50 times to prove that he is worthy of moving on to the next stage - clubs.

Friday, August 16, 2013

I am an absentee blogger. Yes, the busiest I have been in a few years these days, but there is no excuse for my absence. I haven't typed a word on my blog since July 13th - Bennett's birthday. I set some words down back in June for Devon's birthday too, and granted, those are probably two of the most meaningful posts - well, to me - that I have ever written. A full season with the Brockton Rox, a short tour of the big Island of Oahu with Tom and Lucy, a surprise coming home after many weeks away from Joanne and the boys, a new job, and a new classroom, the start of our new school year, the list goes on and on of solid, yet sadly neglected, blogging topics.

Eight weeks away from Joanne and the boys - not an absentee dad, but maybe an absentee daddy. Skype, Viber, Facebook - I guess I tasted the distance that our friends, loved ones, and first-class-mail-senders feel when they try to get in touch with us in China. It was a long time, the longest time we had ever been apart, and while I was hurting on the inside, I kept to the business of the Rox pitching staff, baseball camps, and our win-loss record, to ease my mind of it. But we were off for the 4th of July - too much time to think. I spent that week in Hyannis on Cape Cod with Ted and Sue, great friends, hundreds of beach goers, an obvious landlord and her Mandarin speaking housekeeper. Maybe weird, that was the only conversation I had in Chinese all summer. We beached everyday, ferried to the Vineyard for our vs Sharks games, and ate really good. Every day that week, we watched the Coming Home segment on ESPN - amazing - tears - God Bless America! A few weeks later I had my own.

We had an early game at the Vineyard and were back to Norwood - Ted's town, and that of Jake and Joe's Bar - by 5 or 6.

My phone buzzed beside the pitcher of beer on our table.

The screen showed the word Mommy above Joanne's photo; they were safely home. Finally we were back on the same continent.

"You think? Tonight?" I said into the phone. "Can we afford it?"

"Just book the flight."

Jud, Ted and Sue, my summer roommates, coffee shop and bar mates, bosses, chauffeurs, and trusted friends, looked at me in disbelief.

"Are you serious? Go!" they seemed to cry in unison.

Joanne picked me up at the airport the next morning. Top down on Granny's car, coffee, no boys.

"Do they know I am coming?"

"Nope, they are going to freak."

Best hug of my life.

I rejoined the team later that week unsure how the players would take my absence from a few games. The Robbie McCunneys, GK7s, Papas, Cole Barlows, Driscolls, DJs, Sapps, Sheehans, Doonans, Gravys and Apos of the @RoxBaseball world only asked, "how was the time with the family coach?"

Those mentioned and all the others, what a fine bunch of men. We won some and lost some, but man did we have a good time. I feel blessed that I had one more summer opportunity to work with 30 young men with big dreams, dedication, camaraderie; nonetheless, I left them a few weeks later, for good. Absentee coach. Still a week to go in the season, but with Jud, Ted, Mike, the team, seeming to understand, Ted drove me to the airport. A quick one to DC, then a longer one to Honolulu and I was reunited with Joanne and the boys.

At that point, I was being an absentee new employee also. Being a fully present father though - sitting with my bride and watching our sons learn to surf on Kailua - was far more important. Hawaii, wow! We sat on the beach, swam, surfed, played in Tom and Lucy's pool, ate everything we were sure we would never see again once we returned to China, drank good wine.

China loomed nonetheless. I was absent from the new teacher, and returning teacher for that matter, orientation at ISB - the boys' school, my new place of employment. I had been hired earlier in the summer, via long distance interviewing and vetting, to teach 7th grade Humanities. Missing the start-up was weighing heavily on me, but far worse, I was driving Joanne to madness as I contemplated, concerned, and cried daily this new concept of regular work that I had been without for much of the last three years. I felt ill-prepared, late, absent - a feeling I have a bad taste for.

Joanne said, "Shut up! You will be great!"

So, here we are. Back in River Gardens, reunited family, the Rox season has ended, I am "Coach Koch" the teacher of 7-7 and 7-8 Humanities at ISB, The #DiamondDragons - our ISB varsity baseball team - is fully underway, and it is Friday night and I am writing on my blog.

I guess I am longer absent. Fully engaged.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Happy 7th Birthday Bennett!

Dearest Benne,

You are our little prince. I find it hard to believe that you are
turning 7 today, but I can't help thinking of how proud you make me
with the way you have taken to life in China. You are creating
lasting memories, and I think it is so cool how some of your earliest
memories will be of ISB, our home in River Gardens and exploring Asia.

I love how much you like to make other people happy - that is a
wonderful trait -your teachers, friend's, and family recognize it in
everything you do.

I love our Sunday mornings together at Rugby where I get to watch you
learn, tackle and play. I also think it is cool that I get to ride
the bus to school with you everyday. These are memories that I will
never forget.

I hope that you keep writing and telling your stories. You are an
amazing story teller, and I can't wait to hear the tales of your
adventures this summer. I have never missed you more than I do right
now, and I am counting the days until I can hug you and hold you
again.

Love Always,

Daddy

Xoxoxo

Sunday, June 30, 2013

13

Dearest Joanne,

13 years ago today I looked at the clock and realized that in five
minutes I was going to walk down the aisle at Abington Presbyterian
Church to marry you.

Today, I am the furthest I have ever been away from you, for the
longest period of time, yet I have never felt closer and more in love!

You are the best mother, leader of our global adventure, truest and
best friend I have ever had.

Thank you for taking care of me and our our three princes.

When I looked at that clock and saw 5 minutes I was nervous; since, I
find myself wondering why! I am the luckiest man in the world.

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Sent from the iPhone of
Paul R. Koch

Monday, June 24, 2013

Happy Birthday Devon Charles Koch

Dearest Devon,

Although it is still the evening of the 24th here where I am - on a
bus from Torrington, Connecticut to Brockton, Massachusetts - I hope
you are waking up to a wonderful day in Guangzhou. I think of you
every second of everyday, but I especially want you to know that I am
thinking about you today - right now.

I remember the day you were born - I took a few games off from the
Gators that summer and mommy and I waited in Loudon Hospital for your
arrival. When you were ready, the first place we took you was to the
ball field. I love that you still love competing on the baseball
field, football field, badminton or basketball court!

I am so proud of the boy you are! You are so kind, thoughtful and
eager to please! Those are fabulous traits that will help you in
every situation in life.

I feel so far away from you today, but I want you to know that I love
you more than ever, and I keep you right here in my heart.

Hug your mama, granny, Parker and Bennett for me!

Happy 10 years, sonny!