OT- Trouble in Threes
#11
  Re: (...)
I hate to bring everybody down, but I have a desperate need to unload.

Last Thursday, my mother called to tell me my aunt was loosing her battle with cancer. I was reflecting last night after the funeral, that if ever there was ever a true gentile lady, Aunt Betty was it. She was the most beautiful redhead I have ever known with one of those husky gravely voices that make you want to stop and listen when she spoke....just to hear her voice. I never heard her raise her voice in the many years I have known her nor speak an unkind word about anyone. Her daughter ran into difficult times about 15 years ago and Aunt Betty took on the care of the three girls and a boy, ages 10 to 2. They lived with her for 8-10 years...the youngest leaving her side only when the battle against the cancer began to take over her life. Up until that day, her house was the gathering place for all the neighborhood kids, and she loved every minute of it. Rest in peace Betty Rose!

Saturday, I received a call from a coworker that our eighth grade English teacher had died suddenly. Her funeral is tomorrow. That left me spinning. Aunt Betty's death was no surprise, and I was actually happy her fight was now over. This death was too sudden...leaving a school, both faculty and students devastated and asking, "Why?"

The most tragic of all, I learned of today. Any of you involved in the education field will relate to this one especially. Three years ago, I had a young boy that touched my life. He was a difficult student for the first half of the year, but one day, in a conference with he and his mom, I told him that I pushed him, only because I loved him and wanted him to succeed. Something happened that day. He made a complete turn around. His grades came up, he was no longer a discipline problem in class, and he would not hesitate to step up to any challenge I put before him. The end of that year was met with a long hard hug and a promise that he would never forget me or what I had done for him. He went on to be a success in seventh and eighth grade...not a straight A student, but hard working and respectful of his teachers. He was also a talented and promising baseball player. Every time I saw him, he would seek me out for a hug, a smile, and a moment to catch up on his life. As a matter of fact, just a month ago, he escorted one of our eighth graders to the Homecoming Basketball game. He made a point to find me, give me a hug, and catch up. He was so proud that he had made the varsity baseball team as a ninth grader.

That was the last time I saw him. I will not see him again. He was always a daredevil. While four wheeling at a sand pit (a place where a contractor digs for sand leaving large, very deep "ponds" of water). This is a popular place for the kids to ride their four wheelers because of the hills of sand, but is also a place where many will gather to swim in warm weather. I know, not a safe thing to do, but it has been done for years. Yesterday, four boys were out riding and decided to go for a swim, even after being warned that the water was too cold. One of the boys got in trouble and two others were helping him to shore, when "my boy" called out about a cramp. Before they could get to shore, they turned around and "my boy" was no where to be seen. He was the light of his parents' and grandparents' life...an only child (and I believe grandchild). What a tragic end to a promising young life! He was only 15. It doesn't really seem fair. The three boys that were with him will be changed for life. I have been told they are not handling it well. I can only hope this event will change their lives for the better. Two are still students at my school and visit my classroom often. I look forward to a hug from them soon.

Thanks for letting me unload. I feel better for it. Now to make it through the next few days. I don't usually do funerals, but will make an exception this time. The children at school are not handling either tragedy very well and many have stopped by my room for comfort and a hug throughout the day. It has been hard to smile and support them, but I managed to make it through the day. Tomorrow is a workday, so I hope to be able to recover from the shock before having to go back and paste on that smile and wipe their tears for the next few days.
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.
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#12
  Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Gourmet_Mom (I hate to bring ever...)
Oh Daphne I am so very sorry for your losses. (Ya know it's hard to type while crying)

Long and awful battles with diseases do give time to "get accustomed" to eventual outcome - but it is no less hard to deal with. Aunt Betty sounds like an exceptional woman and you are all so lucky to have memories of her. She was fortunate to know the love of so many.

I find it so hard to wrap my mind around the deaths of children and those who leave us so suddenly. This morning the Today show did a story on Augie Nieto who is living an exceptional life while struggling with ALS. He said that the best thing about having ALS was that people said all the things that are usually said in a eulogy NOW.

I wish I was close enough to give you a great big hard hug. Better than that, I wish Billy was close enough to give you a big ol' Billy Hug - they are the best for when you really need one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
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#13
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Harborwitch (Oh Daphne I am so ve...)
SO sorry to hear this. I'm speechless.
If blueberry muffins have blueberries in them, what do vegan muffins have?
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#14
  Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Gourmet_Mom (I hate to bring ever...)
Hugs to you, Daphne, what a hard time this must be for you right now. I don't know what else to say except that I'm sorry, it's a lot to shoulder all at once. My prayers are with you, my friend.

PJ
PJ
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#15
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by labradors (SO sorry to hear thi...)
Thanks you guys. This is such a hard thing to accept...especially "my boy". He was such a sweet loving boy with so much ahead of him. I will miss him terribly. He was one of those kids every teacher remembers...now, more so than ever.
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.
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#16
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Gourmet_Mom (Thanks you guys. Th...)
If you're brave of heart, you may be interested in seeing Cody. Here is the news release about the tragedy. I only post it because there are pictures of "my boy" in the news video...such a handsome young man! Plus a little about his personality included from one of his classmates, Nicole. As you will see..much loved by classmates, teachers, family, and friends. Good Bye Cody!
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.
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#17
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Gourmet_Mom (Thanks you guys. Th...)
Daphne - I'm so sorry to hear of the losses of special people in your life. I can tell that you are a wonderful person and a great teacher, the kind that we hope all our kids have in their school careers. It's a testament to you when they come back to find you for a hug and to let you know how their lives are going. I'm sure you will find a way to comfort everyone else tomorrow at work. I hope that you will have someone who will comfort you, too. I'll be praying for you!
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#18
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by HomeCulinarian (Daphne - I'm so sorr...)
OH Daph, so sorry to hear this.

<<<<BIG HUGS>>>>>
Cis
Empress for Life
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#19
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by farnfam (OH Daph, so sorry to...)
What heartbreaking news, Daphne. And yet, you are able to write so beautifully about it. You are a person who is so full of love and touch the lives of so many. Your students are so fortunate to have you. You will be in my prayers tomorrow to keep you strong. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Big hugs!

Maryann
Maryann

"Drink your tea slowly and reverently..."
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#20
  Re: Re: OT- Trouble in Threes by Mare749 (What heartbreaking n...)
Dang Mom...I am so sorry you have been dealt such a load to bear. If troubles do come in threes you should be moving beyond this with fond memories of all to share with those that are left to remember along with you.

Hugs from the "Cyber-son" and family in Iowa!
"Ponder well on this point: the pleasant hours of our life are all connected, by a more or less tangible link, with some memory of the table."-Charles Pierre Monselet, French author(1825-1888)
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