An emotional.....very emotional day......

It has always been said that a parent shouldn't have to bury his/her child........but...I might change that a little to say that......a teacher shouldn't have to watch the burial of his student. Now.....I have done both during my Life.......and tonight I feel that there is really no difference in the two.

When a student comes into your class every day....I repeat....every day for seven years......plus, field trips...competitions....performances on weekends and nights.....and, even more importantly becomes an extended member of your household and your son's best friend..........that student becomes a big part of your Life...and your Family. And when that student's life is tragically taken away.......your Life changes.......that part of your Life is gone and the void becomes very quickly almost unbearable. And so it is.......tonight.

While David would have wanted today's services to be a celebration.....he loved to Party.....the circumstances surrounding his untimely death overwhelmed everyone....and a celebration was not part of the services. Music was a very important part of his Life........and so..it was only right that music was a large part of his services today. David loved the unusual.....and the first number was a song/poem accompanied by the singer on the spoons......an interesting choice for the rhythm background. Following that performance, a former student of mine, Vaughn Bentinganan performed a tribute to Dave on his alto saxophone......a piece composed by Vaughn in a jazz idiom. Vaughn.....now a professional jazz instrumentalist from Seattle....played with warmth and emotional expression.......Dave would have really enjoyed it.

The chapel was packed and overflowing with family and the many, many friends that arrived from places far and near to pay their respects and love for Dave. From St. Louis, his many friends and co-workers arrived by chartered bus.......a way of allowing their love for Dave to be shared on the trip down here. Many gave personal testimonies about Dave.....and what they said was sooooo perfect in defining this young man....his personality, his love for Life, and why everyone loved him. The message by the minister of his little country church gave a great message and shared with us his observations of Dave as he matured. A wonderful service for a wonderful young man!

And so......I am drained from the emotional 72 hours that have passed.........I find myself watching the clock and wondering how long this feeling of loss will last......... It will gradually pass and Life will continue.......it has before and it always will again. Time always heals these emotional upheavals........but the scars remain forever.....they don't go away.......

I hope your day was a great one.....as usual!