My most excellent host, Giacomo!
During the spring of 2017 fellow teacher Mary invited my son and I to spend a weekend in Pacific City, Oregon to enjoy the solar eclipse path of totality with their family and friends. They were all renting a beach house overlooking the tide pools, sand, and waves.
I was reluctant and shy. I considered saying thanks but no thank you. Fortunately it’s not easy to bag out on sincere, gracious, inclusive people like Jeff, Mary, and of course Giacomo.
On the way out of town we zipped over to West Seattle and picked up Laura, another teacher pal of Mary’s from Southshore. She had known Giacomo since he was just a mere pup. I had never met Laura, but there was something about the Meyers-Torcaso vibe that made it seem right as rain, so we headed south together for the blotting out of the sun fun.
Teachers and students alike always have an odd time imagining each others lives outside of school and the classroom. I was actually a bit apprehensive about spending time with a student in an unfamiliar setting. Wilbur was scared of being the new kid and not knowing anyone. We finally pulled up to the beach house, smelled the salt, and knocked on the door.
Our fears were instantly washed away like a sandcastle. Instead of a large cold wave, there stood Giacomo, with that sweet sincere smile of his, followed his MOST ADORABLE DOBERMAN PUPPY, August. Taped ears and all. That weekend I got to interact with Giacomo and see him in his comfort zone of love and laughs. Amongst his beloved family and life long friends, I witnessed a giving, kind, silly kid who was so attentive and caring of us and his dear dog.
At one point someone got the idea to climb this hulking sand dune that basically forms the cape there at Pacific City. The sun was high overhead, the wind was literally whipping sand in our faces, and the grade was steep. It was tough going for all of us. I was a bit worried we’d make it.
G-Man, as I took to calling him was bringing up the rear of the hike with his mom. I never actually got confirmation if Giaciomo was ok with that nickname because at school that fall when I’d say good morning G-Man, he would just give me that confident but quiet smile like it’s okay Mr. Mead, I know you’re kind of goofy. I liked those before school hall passings. A teacher’s kid gets used to it.
Anyways, I was hoping he’d trudge up that sand mountain. And he did! I learned that Giacomo did not give up easily. Giacomo accepted and welcomed anyone he could share a smile with or explore a beach at low tide with. Giacomo managed to care for a new puppy, hang with his old buddies & family members, while playing host to a new kid and his odd science teacher dad.
I came to realize that weekend that Giacimo was indeed a special person. He had this humble happy go lucky spirit, and willingness to help others. To pitch in. The love that was so clearly heaped on to him, he was ready and able to give back. A sure recipe for friends, happiness, and respect. He sure gained mine.
I’ll never forget his grace and optimism. It’s no wonder he is so loved by the Blaine community and beyond. I cherish watching two boys who had just met, lost in curiosity and adventure for an hour at low tide. I said out loud to Mary and Jeff on the beach deck looking out at them, cant we just freeze them like that? I think Mary said, “exactly.”
– Tim & Wilbur Mead