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Posted by: Dan @ 10:26 pm
I’ve been going through an especially tough time lately, physically and emotionally… struggling with the pain and loss, missing Sandy more intensely as time passes by… but managing most days to still find something to keep me going, to see the beauty in this world. Usually it’s a small thing that makes me feel Sandy is still with me, makes me smile a little, keep breathing, and get through the day… a wildflower blooming in the garden, a raven on a branch nearby, a robin on the bench in the quiet dusk… the calming sound and flow of the river at the end of our road where I walk the dogs every morning and evening… and what happened today reminded me again that her spirit lives on in many ways, and in many more people…
Today was a very special, moving, emotional, tearful and life-affirming day… I drove the very familiar road north along the Columbia River to the school where Sandy taught. It was the last day assembly and talent show. A year ago Sandy, her parents, our son Cameron and myself were here for the last two days of the school year at Orondo… Sandy’s last days at the school. She died a month and a half later. But her spirit lives on….
At the assembly today, two students gave a special tribute to her. With a photo of Sandy projected on a large screen, Samantha sang a beautiful version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and then Ruby read about her memories of “Ms Beardsley”… especially her wonderful smile, that still makes Ruby smile when she thinks of her. Through my tears I was powerfully reminded about how many kids, and fellow teachers, loved her. And how many lives she touched in such a positive and inspiring way. To see how she has influenced these children, and continues to — their memory of her is still very strong — was overwhelming. I told Samantha and Ruby that Sandy had always loved and been very proud of them — and was especially proud of them today.
After the program, and many hugs later, I went outside to get some fresh air and let the wave of emotion roll so I could go back in and see some of the staff and kids I hadn’t had a chance to. But as I was walking around outside, two little girls — Sandy’s students that I recognized — came up and hugged me. One of them said tearfully, “I miss her so much…”
That was a wave I couldn’t stand up to. All I could say, as I started to lose it, was “Don’t worry, as long as you remember her, she’s still with you…”
Somewhere… over the rainbow…
Good night,
Dan