Self Care

As a teacher, sadly there comes a time that in the duration of you career you lose a student to an unforeseen death.  There is nothing that prepares you for this and when it happens you become overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and uncertainty.  There is nothing that ever prepares you for this and when it happens it is like it never happened before. 
My first loss was Jon.  He was a bright eyed, brilliant young man.  He was in 3rd grade when his cancer came back.  I was honored to celebrate his 10th birthday with him.  His mother bought popcorn for everyone.....I cried that day, just as I did the day he passed.
Then there was Brandon, he is in 8th grade when I was his teacher.  He was so kind, helpful and full of life.  He just wanted to be like everyone else, normal, not sick, not different. 
Hunter, not my student, but a dear friend's son.  He was polite, fun and unique.  He was so full of life and was a magnet of positive energy.  Friends gravitated to his quick wit and personality.  He is the Barbarian.  
Then there was my sweet Emily.  Bright brown eyes and long braids. A  Special Olympian who lite up the room.  She loved life, planes, tress, birds and fast cars.  She was a great athlete who was the definition of courage.  
Now, Noah, a boy in my son's age.  They traveled though K-8 together.  He was a part of the Peace Dale, Broad Rock and Curtis Corner Family.  He was an athlete, a musician, and lover of life.  He was lost this weekend to a senseless act of violence. 

I am writing this blog tonight to help other teachers know how much it is OK to cry, To take a moment to pull back, to breath.  No one taught us in school that we will out live our students, feel the pain of their parents, miss them as if they are our own.  Surround yourself with love, do something you need.....self care does not mean self-fish.  It mean caring for yourself so that you can be strong for someone else.  

I am grieving the loss of Noah and all the wonderful students who I have had the honor to be a part of this world not matter how short.  To every teacher who has lost a student too soon, love and peace to you.  I pray in time your heart will heal and you will be open to love another.