Cahill Craziness: Moving On

Monday, April 15, 2013

Moving On

Zachary started doing karate when he was in pre-k. He did it one day a week at his daycare for a few months, and then in January of that school year, we added a 2nd day a week at the karate school. The class at his daycare was taught by the wife of karate school owner, but his class at the karate school was taught by the main instructor, Mr. JP. I immediately liked Mr. JP. He was young (like, early 20s), but he had such a good way with the kids. He wasn't mean, but he also didn't really put up with funny business. He just had such a good way of dealing with kids, which is kind of rare for a single guy in his 20s (at least, in my experience).

Other than family and close family friends, there aren't that many people who have known Zachary as long as Mr. JP has - he saw him progress from little trial white belt, to being invited into the Black Belt Club, through numerous belt tests, and most recently, his first tournament, which impressed Mr. JP and the karate school owner so much they invited him into the Masters Course (the most advanced class level). He's really seen him grow up, as well as just grow.

So it was sad when we found out earlier this month that Mr. JP would be moving on. He got married last year, and I guess he decided that he needed more of a "grown-up" job, to better provide for his future family. We can definitely respect that, but of course we were sad for ourselves. His last day was while we were in Costa Rica, so we had Zachary make him a card, and we made time to go and say goodbye and wish him good luck before we left. I never realized I'd be that sad about him leaving (of course, I never really imagined he'd leave either). Thankfully, Zachary didn't seem too fazed by it, and even seems excited about some of the things the new instructor, Mr. Bello, is introducing. But we will always remember Mr. JP!