American Baby

I wrote recently about the loss of a student. It's not the first time I've been sidelined by the loss of innocents. It's part of the profession. The weak, the fragile...it becomes part of the expectation. Fernando left such a distinct impression on me and I still feel a hollowness walking into his classroom. Today, Fernando's teacher came to my office. She began discussing the memorial service she went to yesterday for Fernando. There, family and friends celebrated the life of an exuberant little boy with big eyes and a beautiful smile. While there his parents spoke with Stephanie, his teacher, and provided gifts for his entire school team and the luncheon they would like to set up to "break bread" with his teachers and therapists. To know that we, as a staff, had made such an impact for this family makes me humble and incredibly moved. I sometimes forget, year-after-year, and face-after-face, that we do make a difference. We see it here at school but forget that the impact we make is long-lasting and felt in the home. Fernando and his family have moved me and will leave an impression in my heart for a long time.


I hold on to you
You lift me up and always will
I see you in light
Hope I don't get left behind
I hold hold on to you
You bring me hope I'll see you soon
and if i don't see you whoa
I'm afraid we've lost the way

Stay beautiful baby
~ DMB