The longer

you live...the more folk you lose.
What has brought on the melancholy? Strangely it's because a click of the mouse friend posted that term ends and her lad is moving from middle school to higher.
In the place I once worked there were a few special people.
One guy Mac was an inspiration from day one. It always used to amuse me that of all the female staff I got on so well with him. How? Because I was no threat. A friend of mine set her cap at him. Rather like Miss Piggy and Kermit the frog. 
I got to know Mack reasonably well as he was part of the same team. In the 70s? site staff went on strike...we had to sign in to get paid. Then a suggestion was made that we high tail it north to enjoy the day. Off we went...Phil, Dave, Mack and I to the Lake District for the day. That's when I learnt a few things like Mack always judged a pub by its food...steak and ale pie to be precise. He even kept a list.
Spool on a few years and we learnt that Mac had stepped in front of a goods train. Exeunt Mac. 
Now I'm daring to look back to many of my former colleagues that are no more. Teaching is a killer occupation. I cannot help but be concerned about friends still in teaching; I read and see the signs of over-work. Recurring illnesses from stress, even tho' the folk fail to recognise the signs. IBS irritable bowel syndrome,aka gut ache and upset stomach. Depression also brought on by the formidable stresses and responsibility of day to day teaching. As the actuaries know...the longer someone stays in teaching...the shorter their lifespan.
Mea culpa the secret is out, I told the truth.