Tuesday, February 27, 2024
I met him when he was just a kid
His Bright eyes and that crooked smile and ohhh that Infectious laugh.
I remember as part of my commitment to the kids I promised to take them on a field trip in the spring. I had so much fun taking him on a field trip with a group of teens camping for a weekend. He talked about motor bikes and cars and girls.. such a ladies man. Then time passed, months turned into years and I ran into him at a restaurant/bar a few years ago.
He was a grown man and 16 years melted away before my eyes as I easily imagined him as the cheeky teen with a crooked smile and infectious laugh. He hugged me - “Mrs. Duncan, you probably don't remember me.. but I’ll never forget you” I scrambled for a name .. “of course Tyler, I could never forget you”. He chuckled and grinned. “Guess what, I’ve got a kid” He took out his phone and proudly showed me a picture of his baby boy. “I hope he’s not as rotten as I was” he chuckled. I smiled. “You were a great kid.. you could always make me laugh” I reply. His friends were calling him and he smiled and waved. “Nice to see ya” and then he turned and was gone.
As I look back on that moment it’s as if I am looking at it in slow motion.
The beat of the music sloooowwwssss
The flashing lights dimmmmmm
Tyler turrrrrnssss to meeeee in that final moment, smiles .. annnnd waaaaaves…..
..and now I sit here deeply saddened to hear of his tragic passing.
Rest easy m’love.
No one tells you when you are a new teacher that you must be prepared to live a life full of connections and relationships with your students. It is possible that you will experience a student die.. and when they do it breaks your heart and you find yourself clinging to the last time you saw that sweet face. … maybe in a bar, where you get a hug, and look at the crooked smile of a proud dad.
Good Bye sweet Tyler
