I tend to be an optimistic person. I look for the good in everyone and every day. But sometimes life has other plans. Sometimes we just have to weep.
On the day school started, August 7th, one of our gifted students collapsed. She died two days later. This was one of those girls who was always laughing. She had a cheerfulness about her that was contagious. At a friend’s house after a sleep-over (and probably lots of laughter), her heart stopped. No explanation. The doctors suspect that it was a syndrome that occurs in athletes. Lauralyn was a normal 12 year old girl. She was not on the basketball court. It doesn’t make any sense.
With my gifted colleagues, we attended the funeral home. Kids were all around in purple shirts and purple ribbons. Since purple was her favorite color, her school had decided that Friday would be a day dedicated to her memory. There was a banner draped over a table celebrating that Lauralyn’s organs had been donated.
In between the sadness, students found hope. Amidst the loss, there was a gift of life.
I started a blog on kidblogs for my students. For now it is private. (I would welcome connecting with other classes, though.) I’ve decided to post a quote of the week. My class theme is “Mrs. Simon’s Sea,” so I’m calling it “Snippets of the Sea.” Carol Varsalona’s inspirational images make great snippets. Last week I used the quote from E.B. White and this image Carol posted.
I think it is saying don’t ignore your curiosity. And to explore and discover new things. So if you go on a hike or a walk in the park try to look at the world around you. Most likely there are things you haven’t seen before. You just didn’t take the time to look. Like trees, flowers, and even places that you never even noticed were there!–Emily
This week I have posted this image by Carol along with a video of Michael Jackson at the 1993 Super Bowl singing “We are the World.”
I’ve asked my students to write a response to the snippet in the comments. I want to be intentional in making my students think about wonder, hope, and kindness. We don’t know how long we are here on this earth. We should turn each day into the sparkle of a child’s eye, the hope in a rainbow, the kindness of a teacher’s smile.
Oh what a heartbreaking story for the parents, friends, community. How you are taking this heartbreak and transforming it into an avenue for expression is inspiring.
Oh Margaret!!! I am so sorry!! I am crying. There are no words to take away your pain, but I’m so grateful that the students have you. You will listen and love them and support them. Hold onto each other tightly. A loss like this is life changing. I wish I was closer so I could give you a hug! Know that you and your students are in my prayers.
That is such a hard thing for kids to go through! I love your idea for having them respond to quotes on the blog.
Margaret, I am so sorry for your loss. There is nothing so sad as to lose a young person in their prime. I am sure you are just the right person to support the other students as they work through their mourning and look at how this loss affects their lives and their hopes. Know that you and your students are in my good thoughts.
So sad and unjust (at least to human hearts).
I am so sorry to hear about this difficult beginning to your school year. Kids are so amazing and it sounds like they have rallied around each other. This is probably a first for many of them and you are doing wonderful work, giving them a writing outlet for them to mourn and make sense of what is hard to understand.
I am so sorry to hear about this. How sad and life changing and scary for those who cared for Lauralyn. I admire your strength and hope in such a hard time.
Margaret, I am deeply saddened by the news you shared. There are no words to express the sorrow of a light extinguished. May the hand of God touch your classroom and fill it with a wonder as bright as the stars. I am creating a special snippet for you and your classes as a gift from my sea to yours.
Oh Margaret, the loss of our children….such tragedy every time. I am very sorry about Lauralyn, but I love what you are doing to instill the awareness of kindness, wonder and hope in your students. It’s how we shape and model and survive these tragedies that can make all our lives more focused and inspired. But no less tragic. And we just never know….thank you for sharing this.
So sorry for to hear about this, Margaret, for you and for all those who held Lauralyn dear. I am happy that there are teachers like you who show their students how to find hope in the midst of tragedy.
I am sorry for this saddest of losses, Margaret. You are a wonder yourself to take such thoughtful steps to help your students grieve and use the grief to live their own lives more fully. I know this will color your year in ways not yet imagined, and wish you all strength in the daily times together. Hugs to you.
Thank you for this touching reflection. Thinking of you and your colleagues and students.
Margaret, I am so sad to hear this. At the same time I am glad that your students and parents have you. You are wise in channeling your students with their writing. Healing can come in so many different ways. Wishing you all healing with beautiful memories.
Oh Margaret, I am so sorry for you loss. Having stood by students through such hard times, I know that having a space to share and write is so important. What a good thing you have done for those children there. I will keep you and them in my thoughts and prayers. Sending peace and hoping you feel love support you as you face this sad time.
So much sadness. So much love and hope. “The kindness of a teacher’s smile”- I want to carry those words with me and make them real. We never know when a sad day will come… we need to stay full of wonder, hope and kindness.
That is so heartbreaking. Many prayers and love for her family and friends.
I have been surprised in my lifetime how much love and hope and joy can surround loss and pain.
I hope healing finds you all and that she may be remember for the smiles she made and the love she gave.
Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, I’m so sorry to hear this. It seems as if we’ve had more than our share of sorrow this summer. I love the wise words you share at the end of your post. Working hard to find that rainbow!
Your entire slice speaks of heartbreak and healing and love. I’m thankful I found it to read. Hugs.
I’m so sorry. This post hit hard. It doesn’t make sense. So very hard for all. Bless you for helping us find joy, hope and wonder in those beautiful words and images.
OH my goodness – I’m just now reading this! I’m so sorry I missed this post on Tuesday! My heart breaks for you and all those who loved this precious child. Just heartbreaking.
[…] the bad. I want to thank my readers, my community of friends for your words of support through my sad song. I feel the love. And thanks to Diane for this special gift. I think this one will go in a […]
Thoughts and prayers for you, this family, and your community, Margaret. Thank you for taking time to point us to the power of wonder, & the fact that each day is a precious gift.
Margaret, you have been faced with challenge after challenge. It seems so unfair. Yet not as unfair as the loss of a 12 year old girl. My heart is reaching out to you. I hope you can feel it.
I have a child in my class this year who was a preschooler when the same thing happened to his fifth grade brother. Condolences to you and your school community.
Mary Lee, I have never heard of another instance of this syndrome. I hope your student is doing well. You know his struggle and will be able to keep it close. Lauralyn leaves behind two younger brothers.
What a shock, Margaret! My son’s best friend had a similar incident a few years ago but he was on the basketball court, and revived. So sorry for your loss.
I love, love how you’re helping your students process this. I might just copy and frame the last two sentences of your post: ” We don’t know how long we are here on this earth. We should turn each day into the sparkle of a child’s eye, the hope in a rainbow, the kindness of a teacher’s smile. “
Are you the gifted teacher at Belle Place? I am Lauralyns mom.