When I was in middle school I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Heitschmidt, our health sciences teacher and volleyball coach (that's what I knew her as, she taught and coached different levels of sports and classes throughout the years) and I got to know her. Being in a small school I believe you are able to do that more. My first class with her was Home Ec. We learned how to cook food and how to sew.
My first impression of her was that she was very anal about stuff, bipolar, a little crazy and very intense. Intense is the one word I would describe her if someone asked me. I didn't really know that much about her except she was married (Joel worked at RHS for a while and we got to know him) and was from Minnesota. She did a great job of keeping her personal life out of school because I was very surprised to hear about her life at the celebration in Centralia.
The next time I worked with her was during my Freshman year when I was one of the volleyball managers (I did this for two seasons) and I got to see her intensity even more. We were at a JV volleyball tournament in Oakville and we were in the midst of subbing players, she wanted to know what the score was (I don't know why she didn't just look at the scoreboard) but she really wanted to know and I was trying to keep up on the scorebook (volleyball scoring was different back in 1998 than it is now) so I didn't get behind, she actually hit me because she wanted to know right then and there and the game was close. The thought crossed my mind, "oh my God, a teacher just hit me! Why did she hit me? It was weird and I kept it to myself.
I had her again for health class my sophomore year and that's when she started every class with, "okay all you healthy people!" in her Minnesotan accent. She said it so much I actually remember what it sounds like in my head and will continue to for the rest of my life.
I don't know what compelled me but my senior year I was her TA. I can't explain it but for some reason I needed to be her TA. To this day I still can't explain it. Throughout that semester I learned that she was very organized, knew what she wanted and loved teaching. She was very specific when she handed out projects that needed to be done. Every holiday or season her classroom would be decorated in that theme, there were always student's projects on the walls and it was very homey.
After I graduated I saw her off an on while I came back to Rainier for my brother and sister and their high school activities. I heard she took a job at Centralia College and her and Joel were expecting their first and only child, Keaton. Then I didn't see her very much at all and I heard Joel went back to Capital High School.
Life got busy but I heard good things through other people's Facebook accounts about Cristi and Joel, their son and their jobs. Then unexpectedly I heard the news a few months ago that Cristi had a rare form of cancer and it was terminal. Unfortunately it was just a matter of time until we heard the bad news.
Cristi Jo lost her battle with cancer on February 1, 2018.
On February 2, I saw a post by Janet Aschenbrenner, one of the ladies that worked at the school while I attended Rainier, she said,
"Hello former RHS students. I have some sad news this morning. Cristi Jo Heitschmidt passed away yesterday. She lived a beautiful life, true to her faith...and always living the healthy life. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She fought the hard fight against cancer."
I was shocked but I did know it was going to happen. I felt horrible for Joel and Keaton. I couldn't imagine losing my significant other or mom like that. I kept a look out for a memorial service or a celebration of life because I needed to attend it. I felt that there was a reason why Cristi was in my life, as a teacher, even if it was for a short amount of time but I needed to be there. She touched many of our lives in one way or another and she became a teacher for a reason and came to our school and we were lucky to have had her at Rainier during those years.
I saw another post from Janet about the memorial service set for February 11 at Centralia College. I told Ben I had to go. I knew he didn't know her but if he wanted to go as well he could.
We got up that morning, got our nicer clothes on and headed down to Centralia. On the way there I wondered who all would be coming that I knew. I reflected on the memories I had with Cristi and shared them with Ben. I wanted to paint a picture for him of how I remembered her. We got there way earlier than I anticipated. We found a nearby parking spot (at the time I didn't realize it was in front of her building she worked in) and walked to the auditorium. We sat down and waited to see if anyone I knew showed up early.
Joel did make eye contact with me and walked over to talk to us. He introduced himself and then had a realization that I was familiar. He said not to tell him, he was trying to remember my name and he did get it right but couldn't remember the last name. I gave him kudos because it's been probably over a decade since I saw him last. I told him a little bit about what I've been doing since high school and he thanked us for coming and showing support. I told him it was important that I come. We sat down and watched the auditorium fill up.
I did notice a few people that I knew come in and sit down. When it began, there was a lot of hymns played by a band from their church. That was one thing I didn't know about them, they were very religious and kept it on the down low at school. I was impressed and had no idea. Friends and family took turns remembering her and her life and how she enhanced theirs when she was in it. Lots of stories were shared as well as tears. I was very impressed with how Keaton handled everything including his eulogy of his mom. Joel handled it with humor and stories. His stories were hilarious and the way he told them you thought you were also in the story watching it. My favorite part was listening to how Joel met Cristi at college. It was so awkward yet satisfying the way he told their story. I've always wanted to hear how they met.
There were more of her favorite hymns and prayers. The celebration ended with a video of Cristi thanking us for coming and being a part of her life. It was very sad and hard to see her like that and the fact that she planned her whole service. It made you rethink your life and the relationships with people you've come across in your lifetime.
I saw a few people I knew and chatted with them for a while. I wrote out a memory on a notecard and stuck it to the wall of many others. Ben grabbed some snacks while I used the restroom before we left. We walked back to the Escape and headed home. I reflected on the ceremony and how hard it must have been to go up there in front of everyone and talk about someone that you will miss so much it physically hurts you. It was probably a little different knowing while she was dying rather than it happening all of a sudden without any warning because you can prepare for it rather than by surprise. It was eloquent yet hit you square in the feels.
I was happy I got to meet Cristi even if it was only for a short amount of time. I will remember all of her quirky classroom phrases, her accent and her love for teaching.
Next adventure: Ben's Birthday Party
The back and front of program
Joel did make eye contact with me and walked over to talk to us. He introduced himself and then had a realization that I was familiar. He said not to tell him, he was trying to remember my name and he did get it right but couldn't remember the last name. I gave him kudos because it's been probably over a decade since I saw him last. I told him a little bit about what I've been doing since high school and he thanked us for coming and showing support. I told him it was important that I come. We sat down and watched the auditorium fill up.
I did notice a few people that I knew come in and sit down. When it began, there was a lot of hymns played by a band from their church. That was one thing I didn't know about them, they were very religious and kept it on the down low at school. I was impressed and had no idea. Friends and family took turns remembering her and her life and how she enhanced theirs when she was in it. Lots of stories were shared as well as tears. I was very impressed with how Keaton handled everything including his eulogy of his mom. Joel handled it with humor and stories. His stories were hilarious and the way he told them you thought you were also in the story watching it. My favorite part was listening to how Joel met Cristi at college. It was so awkward yet satisfying the way he told their story. I've always wanted to hear how they met.
There were more of her favorite hymns and prayers. The celebration ended with a video of Cristi thanking us for coming and being a part of her life. It was very sad and hard to see her like that and the fact that she planned her whole service. It made you rethink your life and the relationships with people you've come across in your lifetime.
Inside of program
I saw a few people I knew and chatted with them for a while. I wrote out a memory on a notecard and stuck it to the wall of many others. Ben grabbed some snacks while I used the restroom before we left. We walked back to the Escape and headed home. I reflected on the ceremony and how hard it must have been to go up there in front of everyone and talk about someone that you will miss so much it physically hurts you. It was probably a little different knowing while she was dying rather than it happening all of a sudden without any warning because you can prepare for it rather than by surprise. It was eloquent yet hit you square in the feels.
I was happy I got to meet Cristi even if it was only for a short amount of time. I will remember all of her quirky classroom phrases, her accent and her love for teaching.
Next adventure: Ben's Birthday Party
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