To Mr. Bethke, Where Ever He May Be...

Some of you know that Algebra was not my cup of tea. Mr. Bethke, my Algebra teacher, was more than patient with me. I have a mental block with numbers. I choose the "soft" sciences in college. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT stupid. I just don't speak the language of mathematics.

I thought that part of my life was behind me. I thought Mr. Bethke was wrong about how I would need it later in life. Okay, I used in nursing and it did help when I had to take Experimental Stats for my Master's Degree. But by and large for my everyday life I have managed not to use Algebra.

Then I decided to go cruising with a kid. Now she is doing Algebra! Our afternoons are spent at the table with books, tables, the internet and the ever important answer/full solution key.

Just what we are working on this week.

Sometimes things come out of my mouth and I am sure that I am channeling Mr. Bethke! Sometimes I can hear him in my head, "Miss Bonham, all you have to do is plug the numbers into the formula and work it out." It still is easier said than done, but thanks for the advice.

Dad, I wish you were here with us. It brings back so many memories.