Silence

     In less than a three week period I have lost two former students. When you get into the teaching profession, no one tells you about moments like this when I got home this afternoon long after Taylor went to bed I just sat in silence. Because the memories that you do have of your former students are always positive things. And you just sit and think about how they were in your room for the year or years that you had them. When I first started teaching, I taught multiple grades, so some students potentially had me for multiple years. If I was lucky enough, I had students all three years. You really get to know a kid once they have been in your classroom for three school years. I have sat here in silence for over an hour looking through old yearbooks. I will also let you in on the little secret that I have helped create the yearbook for many years. One of the young men who passed away, actually helped me as part of my yearbook class. He continued to help me even when he went on to high school. He was a phenomenal photographer.

      My heart goes out to their families. I personally know what it's like to lose a child. There are no words that describe the hurt and pain that they are going through.