Role Model

I have had a lot of teachers in my life. Some of them hold a degree to teach, but most of them just taught. My mom is one of them, my dad, my aunts and uncles, bishops that I've had, young women leaders, friends, enemies, whatever.

But most of my teachers have also been role models. And, as much as I love and appreciate those teachers, there is one who will always stand out to me and that is my CJ 1350 teacher.

I don't expect you to know that class off-the-bat, but it is forensic science. I was excited for that class anyway, because I love forensic science. However, this teacher was something else. I wanted to be him. I wanted to work with him. I wanted him to teach me everything he knew. He taught me a lot, but the thing that stuck with me the most is something that has nothing to do with forensic science.

He always said: "Life is what happens when you make plans."

He said this a lot, because his life had not gone the way he wanted it to. He had "partied [his] way out of college", got an A.S in architecture, became a police officer out of necessity, got a B.S in forensic science, and continued on to his masters. After a long and fascinating career, he retired, got bored, and decided to teach.

I. used. to always. make plans. I planned everything. I made lists in my free time. But I discovered that his words were true through experience. Most of what I have planned throughout my life has not come to pass, but you know what? A lot of other, better things have come along. I will never become an astronaut - as much as I would have loved to. I will not graduate college early. I did not get married in the temple. But you know what? I'm alright with all of these things. It was meant to be and I am happy with who I married, I have accepted that I'm not a good student, and the space program has taken major hits in the past few years.

It just wasn't meant to be. Some things, even though you'd give your left arm for them, just won't happen. My teacher? He ended up leaving the school soon after I did because of a tumor. He was, from what I'd gathered from conversations with him, not at all planning on leaving. And, while it is a tragedy that he isn't teaching anymore, I know he is happy where he is because he has accepted that life happens when you make plans.