Just a couple of days ago, i posted that things were going so well and nothing was really happening here. And then the next day comes. I lost a student on Sunday. In a car accident. He was thrown from the car and died on impact with the street. Four of his friends were also in the car, but they are all okay. I have all five boys in class this year. Not to mention the entire Junior class that is suffering from the loss of their friend. What do you do with an empty seat in a class that was occupied by their friend? That empty seat signifies a lot. It means everything to these kids. It means everything to me. That seat is never going to be filled. I miss Will. I miss his smile, his constant smile. I miss his smirk. That smirk that he gave when you caught him doing something. I miss his laugh. His laugh that meant you had really done something well. He didn't just laugh for anything. I miss his kindness. I miss his leadership. I miss Will Wardrip. It wont be the same without you Will. We don't move on, we just keep going. We keep going without you. Not by choice, but because we have to. Until we meet again, and we will meet again.
Life is moving along for the Gray's. Nothing major is really happening these days. My school year is moving well. I can't wait for Thanksgiving Break. I haven't had a day off since Labor Day so I have been feeling the grind. My students are doing well, still getting used to each other but it is moving a long well. Have some ones that frustrate me and some that I really like. But that is always the case. Basketball season is starting soon which is awesome and will keep me busy. But I am really excited about it. I was asked to help coach this year and I am so ready for the season. It is going to be a lot of fun.
Heather is doing well also. She is at the same job that she has been at since we graduated from college. It isn't anything special, but we both feel blessed to have jobs in a time that many people can't say that. We are very fortunate to both be working. We don't complain about work often, but when we do, the other reminds us that we both work and it puts things into perspective. Heather's job is very flexible and allows her to take days off if she needs to which she really likes. It allows her to travel and visit home and friends.
Life is good. We are blessed.
A little story about one of my students from last school year. I am honored to now call him my friend. Tommy's story is one that I hope no one has to live out themselves. But he is teaching me a lot about life. And I hate that he has to go through what he has to go through. But he does, and he is a fighter, and God has great things in store for him.
In Tommy's last Lacrosse game of his senior season, Tommy was hit while going after the ball. He thought, as we all did, that he was fine and that he just had a little pain in his neck, and that he could get up and move off the field. He had full movement in all his limbs, and never lost consciousness or memory. The trainer came out on the field and thankful made sure he stayed down, and since it was a neck injury, called the ambulance and made him go to the hospital. X-Rays were done strictly as a pre-caution. The x ray's showed that Tommy had a significant break in his C-1 vertebrae. Had he gotten up on the field, he could have killed himself.
The C-1 vertebrae is the very first vertebrae in your spinal cord, right below your skull. A big deal to break obviously. Tommy spent a lot of time in the hospital, and was finally able to come home. He currently is in a halo that immobilizes his head and neck in the hopes of the vertebrae healing itself. They are not sure what the next steps are, surgery to fuse bones are a real possibility. A scary situation to say the least.
I try and visit Tommy as often as I can. Never once have I heard him complain about anything. And he has a lot to complain about. Never once have I ever heard him say "I wish it were different" or " why did this have to happen?" I am sure he has thought it countless times, but never voiced them. Which says a lot to me. Tommy is a fighter. I knew that they first day I met him. It is just who he is. And it is evident even more now. He keeps fighting and walking down the path that God has laid out for him. Things like this put a lot of things in perspective for me. I mean, what do I really have to complain about. I got everything I need, and then some. We are truly blessed. All of us.
You can follow Tommy's battle on his blog: tommymallon.blogspot.com. There are plenty more details about everything there if you are interested. They have made a foundation in his honor as well at injuredathletes.org. Thanks for reading up on Tommy. He is a fighter and I proud to call him my friend.
Tommy, if you ever read this, know that I love you and pray for you everyday. I am proud of you. I hate that you have to go through this. I am here for you. And I look up to you. You are teaching me new things day by day. Keep fighting. There is something great in this for you. Keep fighting.
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