One of my hardest coaching wrestling almost made me quit teaching.
It was the day of my set of first university classes and my first tournament I had organized.
I had just bought my first van and thought, “I’ve got this!” I had some seats removed for wrestling mats and because I could not drive people with the N license I brought the giant jugs of coffee and juice myself.
The drinks became my companions were safe and fine until… the speed bump.
In one bounce, the van’s carpet was flooded with coffee. Orange juice tipped but was fortunately spill proof. The coffee lids all blew off and Wrestlers showed up just in time to help me clean. One little voice said, “Your van prefers milk and sugar,” they emptied creamer packets into the floor and shocked parent and other children looked to see would I cry, swear, breakdown, or I expect no one expected the coffee dance party that broke out. I took off my shirt and slip and slide from the sliding door to trunk then attempted the worm. The children laughed and helped use my shirt and towels to clean up.
I don’t remember who won the tournament, but I’ll never forget how laughter saved that day. And yes I removed the carpet but the van still smelled like a like a latte for six months. We called it… The Vaniccino.