Gone so soon..

There are always going to be those people in your life that have shaped your path in one way or anyother. Sometimes you don't even know how much they have effected your life plan, and sometimes it's negatively, but it's the positive ones that will always hold that special place, even if it was years ago. Today I found out that my favorite teacher passed away, and too soon at that. Without question he shaped my life. He was my main authority figure for my most vulnerable years; grades 6 through 8. I remember him being so hilarious in class, and then when it was time to be serious, we could all sense the shift in his voice, and so we sat up straight and listened intently on his every word. There was one time when he got mad at me, yelled at me in the hallway, and I felt so awful. I hung my head in shame as I walked back into the classroom, and couldn't help but think I had really let him down. That night I even went home and cried, but he didn't hold grudges, and the next day we were back to the same old banter. When I was in grade 8, he chose me to be the class valedictorian, and helped me with my speech. When it came time for the ceremony, he surprized me with the award of "Christian Spirit". It made me aware that he believed in me, that someone out there other than my parents believed in me. After that I didn't see him that often, and the last time I saw him was the following Fall, when he came to my high school for a meeting. I remember I was outside smoking and when I saw him I went to give him a hug, and I knew that he was dissapointed in me. I made up some stupid excuse as to why I was smoking, but I knew we both knew the truth. Again I felt awful. I think that was the last conversation I had with him too, and that was almost 15 years ago. But still, he will always hold that place in my heart. He forever shaped my life, he was someone I truly looked up to and respected. He believed in me and that's all that mattered. I can only imagine how many others have similar stories. He really was the "Morrie" to so many students. He will be missed.

It really makes you want to cherish those that are in your life at this moment. You never know when you'll lose touch, and in another 10 or 15 years, I could be sitting here, or somewhere, and reminiscing about someone that is in my life right now. It also makes the small things (like weight loss) seem so petty. Tonight I hugged my daughter and husband a little tighter and spent that extra moment staring into each of their eyes and telling them just how much I love and appreciate them. I know my daughter is too small to understand, but you don't need to talk to feel love.