UPDATE: So, I don’t know where I went wrong, but as you can see from Ephrem’s statement in the comments, I clearly have. Somewhere along the way, I came under the impression that today was Ephrem’s last day. Not the first time I’ve been wrong, and certainly not the last. And despite that error, I stand by the rest. What’s wrong, after all, with a little celebration of a good man, even if it is a bit premature…nothing, says I, not a thing.
Today is the last day of Ephrem’s second career at HWC.
There are many, many things that I love (and will miss) about Ephrem Rabin, but number one among them is the warmth and kindness and good cheer that he continuously spreads through the hallways and classrooms of our building. He is a one-man morale boosting, joy-sprinkling carnival of kindness. Every time I see him, he shares a compliment or a nice story or a kindness of some sort. Every time I see him see someone else, he does the same.
I will miss you a lot, Ephrem, and I am so very very grateful for the ten years of kindness you have shared with me and others. I hope your new grandchild is just one of many, many blessings that await you in the next phase of your path.
The Harold Lounge 
I agree – Thank you Ephrem for being you!
As Mister Rogers would say, ““If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
― Fred Rogers
I wish you Joy, Health, Love, and Peace 🙂
Thank you Dave and Carrie. I really appreciate your kind thoughts. They are touching.
However, what did Mark Twain say regarding word about his death? I know how he felt, because today is not my last day. I plan to be here until the end of this semester. That is, unless you are trying to tell me something.
Dave,
You did not go wrong. My original retirement date was to be Feb. 28. However, for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which was that it made no sense to leave without a substitute in place, I am staying until the end of the semester. I have been going around the college for the past few weeks telling faculty. My mistake was not sending out a BB BYTE to everyone saying BBYE BBYE.
I’m sorry that I cause this confusion for you.
As someone who still lurks regularly on the outskirts of the lounge, I’d like to comment on my valued friend and former office-mate Ephrem. In fact, I shared a couple of offices with him a few years ago, and I can’t imagine a better colleague. Sitting at a desk a few feet away from his, I had a chance to listen to him, learn from him, and grow to appreciate his goodness.
Sure, he spent (spends) hours patiently explaining blackboard to people, but he does much more. He makes them want to listen and to learn. He’s a gifted teacher who shows people how to value what he values. And then when they don’t quite get it, he explains again and encourages again.
Others have remarked on his unfailing sense of humor. He is a connoisseur of jokes, one-liners, corny comebacks, and seriously funny stuff. He takes more than average pleasure in hearing his own material, and so does his audience. But under the schtick and banter is a wise, serious educator who helps people learn happily.
As I write this, I’m thinking about the similarity of Ephrem and another inspiring mensch, Harold Ramis. All the things we’ve read recently about Ramis’ sunny nature can be applied to our friend too. They’re both honest, real, talented, and caring.
HWC has been fortunate to have Ephrem for so many years, and I’m one of many who have been fortunate to call him my friend.
John Thissen