Gold Day. Formerly A Day. Day 46.

It is cruel that the beating heart of friendship and warmth is a fickle muscle that tires too soon. It seems that sometimes the trees with the deepest roots often drop leaves before the shallow surface shrubs. And so it is that I have to bid good bye to period three. Perhaps the greatest class of all. They will live on in the Petraitometer in a special "in memoriam" section and no eraser will ever smear the purple ink that professes their greatness. And so, like my hermit crab, Michael, that crawled out of his bowl one day and froze on the frozen slates outside my childhood room, and my two goldfish I won at a fair and kept for 16 years in an aquarium with no decoration other than some blue plastic gravel, I must now say good bye to period three, for they have called upon me to teach the FBI training class. So...

Goodbye Juan. I'm sorry I was upset with you for not coming back from lunch.

Goodbye Armando. You may have called Texas home once, but you escaped to a much more dysfunctional place.

Goodbye Andres. I'm sorry you had to sit next to Ben and Roman.

Goodbye Amaury. You always came back from lunch on time and I noticed.

Goodbye Faustina. It was always comforting to know that at least one person was paying attention.

Goodbye Sergio. Your answers to questions were almost as spectacular as your hair. Learn on.

Goodbye Ryan H. I haven't forgotten what I owe you. Surprisingly Walmart had none. I will find it for you. Just remember. I never had a favorite Ryan.

Goodbye Gabriel. Although I still have you in AICE Global, I will now only see you every other day.

Goodbye Nicholas. I'm pretty sure you weren't in class today and you probably have no idea what is going on. Just remember. I never compared you to Ren.

Goodbye Pierina. I'm so sorry you couldn't make a better friend in class. I know you will be alright though.

Goodbye Ryan M. I enjoyed the talks we had about world events and your future. Just so you know I never had a favorite Ryan.

Goodbye Tiziano. You are the only Tiziano I ever met. I think I wanted to compliment your shoes one day but I never did. That haunts me.

Goodbye Mariana. I'm sorry I was upset you never came back from lunch. You will always be the new kid and thank you for the cow picture. It means a lot.

Goodbye Lucas. Someday when I go to Chile, I will gaze upon the Andes and think "this is the homeland of Lucas."

Goodbye Bastian. I'm pretty sure there was supposed to be a Se in front of your name. Maybe not. Don't hurt yourself playing soccer.

Goodbye Agustin. It will always be Islas Malvinas. The Penguins will always be Argentinian.

Goodbye Gavin. I will miss purposely not calling on you all year. I don't know if you noticed. It was a long game troll.

Goodbye Sara. Good luck with your promotional Power Points. By the time you graduate you will be doing sales pitches for a Fortune 500 company. Enjoy the wasabi.

Goodbye Gabriella Roberta. Like Pierina, I'm sad for you that you never made a friend in class. Maybe someday. Until then you can always count me amongst your ardent supporters.

Goodbye Matthias. I appreciate you never taking Agustin's side in any debate. I will never forget your quiet support.

Goodbye Madison. Although I'm not sure if you are named after a city in Wisconsin, a street in New York, or the President of the United States, I know that if you are in Delaware or Maryland you will be thinking of your revolutionary relatives and the patriotism that you are entitled to.

Goodbye Zain. It is a painful goodbye, but we will sit down and enjoy a cup of parmesan ice cream in the near future. I promise.

Goodbye Luke. Even though I called you Lucas once, you will always be Luke and that means quality conversation and great ethics. Keep excelling.

Roman. If you don't mind I can't say goodbye right now because I will still have you in AICE Global. However if you do want a formal goodbye, come see me at my desk.

Goodbye Ben. Every class has to have a kid last on the attendance roll. That kid was you. I'll miss calling your name and knowing I was done with attendance for the day. Carry on.

I feel like I just left 25 puppies on the side of the road and drove away. You will not be forgotten and you are welcome in 979 any time you are able to come.

TP