There’s a guy named Abe in a city named Adelaide in a country named Australia. Someday I am going to officially meet a guy named Abe in Adelaide, Australia. But for now, I have to settle for FaceTime.

I “met” Abe two years ago via Twitter. He had stumbled across my blog and contacted me, and we have been connected ever since. Abe gets credit for that. He has been instrumental in inviting me into his world, his classroom. In his efforts to connect his kids with the outside world, he created a Flipgrid opportunity for his kids to chat with me about going gradeless. He and his kids called it, “Ask Me Anything with Monte Syrie.” Here are the links to our conversations. https://vimeo.com/224754445 https://vimeo.com/224754445

Two years later we are still connecting. Yesterday, I had the honor of joining Abe and his class via FaceTime. And we both had a surprise for each other. Knowing they wanted to talk to me about climbing trees, I decided to be in a tree when they called.

They, knowing my affinity for Smiles and Frowns, invited me for their daily go around. I got to do Smiles and Frowns in the top of a tree with a class on the other side of the globe! One of the coolest things I have ever done. Each kiddo introduced themselves and shared a Smile and/or Frown. Felt like I was right there with them.

Surprises behind us, we spent the next several minutes talking about a number of topics ranging from writing to broken bones to our shared love for the book Freak the Mighty. Apparently, I was pretty animated and loud because my wife, who was outside, could hear me talking all the way back to our home over a quarter a mile away. I guess maybe I thought since Abe and his class were so far away I had to talk really loudly. Sorry Abe and company if I was too loud. I was excited, dang it.

Today, this morning, I am no longer high up in a tree. But I am still flying high as I sit here at my usual morning spot, the kitchen counter, trying to capture a memory I will not soon forget. It was truly great.

And it’s all because of a guy called Abe in city called Adelaide in a country called Australia who goes above and beyond (sometimes all the way here to Washington State) to give his kids more. Someday, I am gonna meet that guy.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.