Mr. C. & Me: Life Lessons from the School Janitor Who Changed My Life

by Chris Forman

Growing up is a challenge! Especially for an effervescent, full of life, live for the moment curly-haired boy who wants to soak up everything life offers—but whose teachers have other priorities. Hi, I’m Chris Forman . Four decades later, the words above still describe me (minus the hair). I admit, I was a handful. Usually mischievous. Occasionally charming. And nearly always misunderstood. With dozens of adults working at my elementary school, only one understood me. Mr. Clifferd, the school custodian. I often visited his office (the boiler room). He always knew just what to say and how to lift me up. Mr. C.’s lessons shaped my life. Today, we find ourselves in a chaotic world. Social ills run rampant. Climate change threatens our survival. A global pandemic shook the world. And yet the quiet wisdom of a long-retired custodian echoes across the decades with profundity. His message remains more relevant today than ever before. Join me for a joyful journey through my childhood. You’ll meet some mean teachers and a bunch of my crazy (and oddly named) classmates. Best of all, you’ll meet the amazing Mr. C. and learn from this common man’s uncommon wisdom. We’ll share a few tears. And have lots of laughs. (Take it from a kid whose antics earned him a permanent home in the principal’s office). I can’t wait for you to meet Mr. C. You’re going to love him. And he just might change your life, too.

164 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2021

About the author

It was a dark and stormy night. Okay, never start a book like that but you can start a life like that. I was born in 1955 in the middle of hurricane season. Now it wasn’t night, but I hear it was dark. Okay if I was born in 1955 that makes me . . . oh crap 58.

Well the first eighteen years were typical of a teenager growing up in the early 1970's and I graduated from Valley Central High School in June of 1973, roughly in the top third of the class. I then went on to Orange County Community College and did so well there that they requested (okay demanded) that I take some time off from school. That was in 1974 and I took them so seriously that I stayed away for 25 years.

I met my lovely wife Teresa one enchanted evening in a place called Gobeo’s. A local bar in Middletown. We were married on August 13th 1977, my birthday, and we celebrate our thirtieth anniversary this year. We have four children. Two are married and two are at home. All are college graduates. We also have five grandchildren. The names of my children and grandchildren have been used in my books.

I have had many careers in my life and I’ll try to list them here. Many of them have had a tremendous influence in my writing.

Pearl diver (dish washer) at my step-father’s restaurant
Custodian at the local phone company while in school
Men’s clothing salesman
Coffee route salesman
Uniform rental driver
Bread man (route driver) for Millbrook and Freihofer bread.
Truck and power equipment salesman
Retail store manager
Professional photographer
Teacher’s aide
Teacher

This all got to be such a pain when I had to fill out job applications (list previous work experience) Back in 1998 I decided to return to college and finish my degree. Four years later I had a Masters in education and I now teach social studies at the same high school I graduated from.

Reviews

[Mariette renaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book intrigued me right from the very first page! The author's adventure throughout his elementary school brings me back to similar experiences that are so valuable to me today! They truly were the best times of my life! Ironically we had a Mr . C also literally aka Mr. Comartin who was also a kind funny loving man!

Its a heartwarming, engaging and heartfelt kind of book that I so did not want to end much like the author's other books! The author summarizes each chapter with just how valuable these life lessons have helped us get through what life has become like today! It takes a village to get through life so much more now than ever! I truly feel that our purpose on this earth is to carry each other in good times and bad! There is nothing more satisfying when you feel like you've made a difference or impacted another's life! If anything, these recent challenges ie. covid, climate changes have brought us to our knees with a desire to do more if only just to comfort another! It is our hope that the current leaders of this planet will indeed work fervently with the out most of integrity to improve what was identified as poor decisions made that affected millions of people! we need more Mr. C's in our lives but together we can make the necessary changes if we all do our part! Stick to the basics, wisdom is key in all decisions made live life wholesomely and be kind to yourself!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, quick read with familiar places. Chris Forman, a lively active child, wrote about his childhood experiences and finished each chapter with the lessons learned. It really was a pleasure to read this book.