I received an email just a few minutes ago from a former student of mine. I taught her in 4th grade and she's now finishing up her first year in junior high. She is a highly intelligent girl who received perfect grades.
She knew about our Andrew dying. I had to tell her as she frequently emailed me to ask about his progress.
I hadn't heard from her in a awhile. I just assumed she had been busy with her schoolwork and may have struggled in processing our tragedy. Though I have learned through this that children are incredible warriors and in the face of sadness, they rise up and are understanding. Moreso than adults at times.
I received this message from her this morning. Subject: :(
Dear Mrs. Wilson,
Seeing that you already had your own problems, I chose not to tell you this.
My brother, Tony, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer on October 26th, 2010.
After he came back from the hospital in Long Beach, he lead a what seemed like a normal life from about November to January.
In January, he got worse, and was admitted to the hospital again.
He seemed like he was going to die, but, somehow, he seemed to get better.
He was happy for a while again.
Sadly, in early May, he got worse, to the point when he couldn't even talk, or swallow.
The cancer got worse and worse...........
Tony passed on today, at about 3:25 AM.
I feel like dying myself........................
Short of losing my own son and family members, this pain is almost as fierce. My students really mean the world to me and I ache with deep pain for them as they struggle. It is piercing to hear when children die. Tony was, I believe, in 3rd grade. Why so young? Why him?
Please pray for their family as they begin their journey of grief (though it likely started back in October). And pray for the sweet girl who is now an only (living) child in her family. Pray for her strength.
Children just shouldn't have to die.
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14 comments:
My heart breaks for your former student and for you. I pray for both of you to find strength to honor both of your losses.
Hugs and Prayers,
Mallory
That is so awful. So sorry for your former student and the family. Why so young...
I had a sibling of a student die my first year of teaching. I want to take the pain from your little student. Bless her. I agree, children should simply not die. :(
So incredibly unfair.
This is just completely heartbreaking. Children should not die. Everytime I hear of another one, I get so angry and tearful. I will never understand this. I'm just so sorry B. I will be thinking of that sweet girl and her family.
I'm so sorry. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.
Brandy,
My heart hurts for you and your student's family today. I know that nothing is going to take away that pain, but I will still pray for her and you.
I am so mad that I am so helpless to do anything to change that another beautiful little boy died. It is just so incredibly wrong.
You both will be on my heart today...
So heartbreaking. What hell for that poor family. I'll add them to my prayers today.
Oh my God. More unfairness in the world. I've had it.
I, too, keep in contact with some of my students. It's heartbreaking when something like this happens to one of them. I wish you could give her a real hug--for what it's worth.
Everyone is in my prayers, including you.
Cancer is an awful thing. When it affects kids, it is downright tragic. Unfortunately I see it too often in my line of work and it never gets any easier to deal with. Still, I am constantly encouraged by the new treatments and care that improves these kids' quality of life everyday. Please consider supporting organizations like Livestrong that do so much for cancer patients and their caretakers.
this is heartbreaking. Sending prayers their way.
This is just so very sad. Thinking of all concerned.
xo
Dear Brandy,
I'm so sorry to hear about this.
Sending my prayers.
Best,
Coastal Blue Ocean
I'm so sorry. At least your student felt that she could share her experience with you - another reason to keep teaching.
Love and thoughts to you and your student,
Abbie.
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