Last Saturday one of my former students passed away. Not
only a former student, but one from my last full year at Hopewell before LJ
came. One who’s Mom I worked with. One who spent extra time with us because he
was there anyway. One who wasn’t just a student, but one of those students you
really truly loved and wanted the best for. One who was only 14 years old and a
freshman in high school with a smile of gold and a sense of humor to match. One
that had the brains of a child beyond his years.
Every time I hear of a death of a former Milton student, my
heart drops. I immediately wonder if it was one of my babies. In the past, it
never has been. It doesn’t make it less sad when it is not one of your own, but
when it is, the whole world seems to stop. My heart hurts for his family. My
heart hurts for his friends, and my heart hurts for the lives he hadn’t yet
touched.
When I heard the news that my student had taken his own
life, my brain started scanning…the smiles, the laughter, the pranks, the last
memory…oh, the last memory. The day I resigned from Hopewell, I went to his Mom’s
room to bring my books back to her. He walked in, and I got the usual big smile
and hug, along with some sort of silly banter that was typical in a
conversation with him. He was my last hug before closing that door of my life.
He was an ambassador…and I am sure he is on the welcoming committee in heaven
today!
We don’t know what life has in store for us or for those we
love. All I can take from this right now is that life is short, often we don’t
know how short. God will guide through the pain, but for his family and friends,
it will never go away. Hug your loved ones, let them know they are the center
of your life. Pray for peace for those who suffer.
Matthew 4:5
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Rest well RB, you will be missed.
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