The small, private Catholic institution I attended for high school is set back in the countryside of Virginia. Since those years were so precious to me, I love returning to Middleburg; to the rolling hills and through the quaint little town. Since moving to Philadelphia, Middleburg has been a touchstone for me. The country town, so far removed from anything like the bustling rush of the city I love going back, but this past weekend was the first in a long time that I was able to make a visit to see my old Philosophy teacher, Mr. Roque.
I pulled into the long shady driveway, past Goose Creek and by the hills we used to run in Cross Country. The driveway seemed longer now that I wasn’t driving and running up and down it everyday. Finally the foliage cleared and the school came into view. The dark wooden cross sits directly in front of the school. During the Lenten Season there is a purple sash draped across its arms.
I picked a rose as I walked in, and a few minutes later found myself sitting in Mr. Roque’s office. He’s the Dean to Students now. (The last time my friend visited she replaced the “D” so the sign reads “Mean to Students.”) This wouldn’t be funny if it were true- Mr. Roque is one of the most generous and caring people I know. He taught me a lot, and no matter what, he always has a story with a moral that directly relates to the issue at hand.
I could easily get carried away here and talk about Mr. Roque’s good character and how much fun his classes were- but I specifically wanted to share Mr. Roque’s love for books and literature.
When I had him as a senior for for Philosophy the classroom’s bookshelves were filled with all kinds of books- he’d read every one. We once had him give us “Roque’s Top Ten Books” (but the only one I can remember off hand was the Movie Goer.)
We read articles in class non-stop- short stories, news articles, opinion pieces- things that sometimes didn’t seem to relate, but then had a definite purpose for what we were learning. Once or twice after we graduated Mr. Roque sent us some articles to read, and when I returned over Memorial Day weekend he gave me a few more. I always trust that they will be good and have intricacies that may be first unnoticed.
Sometimes class discussion or Mr. Roque’s lectures might begin by a question or comment from a student. One particular class we were talking about hi book collection, “Are these all yours Mr. Roque?” someone asked. Mr. Roque replied that they were and that his wife said he had too many books. He then told us that a philosopher had the idea that every book you give away you’ll have in heaven,
“Isn’t that nice?” Mr. Roque asked, cocking his head to the side and smiling in thought, as he often does when he remarks on such things. Then a sparkle came to his face, “My wife will have some really good books in heaven- she tries and gets rid of as many as possible. Me on the other hand- I only give away the crappy ones!” We laugh together.
When we graduated Mr. Roque lent my best friend and I books to read over the summer, “To bring you back,” (to return them to him) Mr. Roque said. I’ve returned many times since I graduated high school, but last Memorial day, almost three years since I graduated high school I finally returned the books he lent me that day. And as I was leaving he looked through his bookshelves, “Lets find you a book…bring you back”
He gave me a C.S Lewis book that I have yet to read, but as I was leaving he said, “you can keep that one” and opened it and showed me his name in the front, “It’s a Roque original too,” which made the gift all the better for me.
I left the school the way I came, down the curvy driveway- flower in my hair and new book in hand. What a little piece of heaven this school has been to me, and now, Mr. Roque will have one of his original books in his Heavenly Library.
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