Lindfors' Retirement

I was blessed with an awesome high school choir teacher, Mr. Lindfors, who was married to my equally wonderful English teacher. As a teenager all adults seemed old to me, so I didn’t realize how young they both were when I was in their classes, but their careers at Costa Mesa High School were long enough to teach the children of former students. How do you honor a legacy of literally teaching generations? For starters, by singing in the final choir concert. 

It was fun to reconnect with former classmates and see how many were able to join in, and to see how the program has grown over the years. The high school’s new theater building is a testament to how much had changed for the better because of both him, and the band teacher who’d retired just before him. Given their impact, it was an unanimous decision to name the theater in their honor, and the process was formally announced that night (apparently even with consensus there’s red tape that takes time). 

Thanks to the advice of a friend, I had a hand in another gift: the Lindfors Fund. The Costa Mesa High School Foundation graciously established a dedicated fund within its endowment, ensuring that their influence continues to resonate through the lives of future students in English and the performing arts. I was hoping for small donations from a large pool of alumni to cover a myriad of minor expenses in the coming years, but an angel donor exceeded my expectations and will allow them to be more generous in how the funds are used. It was truly a heartwarming night.

And as a final gift, we surprised Mr. L in the gym with a small party the next day that gave us more time to visit with him and each other. He had a tradition of us singing “Irish Blessing” at each graduation, and serenading him with it as he walked in had everyone choked up. “...and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” You can watch it here: "Irish Blessing" to surprise Mr. L

 

 

 Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Lindfors!