Show Your Love While People Still Live

    On October 10, 2016 at the school where I teach, we lost a wonderful teacher and friend. She was taken from us instantly in a car wreck. The students and staff were all in shock when we found out. You could feel the sadness in our building, the sorrow we all felt at the loss of such a beautiful person, our P.E. teacher, taken away so very young. 

     It was not long after the heartbreaking news that a little stuffed frog was placed on the door of her gym, her classroom. Later on, I saw a red heart and as the day went on cards and letters of love were posted along the rail leading up to the gym. The kids hearts were broken, her fellow teachers and friends hearts were broken. We were all at a loss and everyone wanted to show their love for this amazing woman. 

     Every day the signs of love grew, every day more cards, posters, stuffed animals and signs of love went up to show how much we will miss and love her. I took pictures for the school paper and I read the cards and posters that express so much love. My heart ached because I will miss her and still does as I think of that outpouring of love shown to this amazing woman. It was unbelievable; hundreds of cards line the rail and the door leading to the gym where she once spent most of her time. 

    As I looked at this beautiful expression of love and sorrow, I felt an added sense of pain thinking how sad it is that this much love is shown to this beautiful person after she is gone. It made me think of how characteristic it is for people to show such an outpouring of love when someone dies. Yes, it is for the family too but it is also to help our hearts heal. I think that is wonderful but I am also sad that we do not show this outpouring of love to people while they are here to enjoy it. 

     From all of the cards, flowers and other expressions of love I know she was truly loved, deeply loved by so many. I am sure she knew she was loved while she was still living but I am not sure she knew just how much she was loved and the impact she had on so many other lives. This again made me sad to think that we don't show this kind of love to the living. Many people have no clue how much they are loved, some don't feel loved at all.

     So with this thought and as I reflect on the beautiful memorial tribute that has been made to our wonderful teacher and friend I hope that I show those who I love how much I love them while they are living. I also think maybe we should celebrate those we care about while they are alive. Do not wait until they are gone to give cards, flowers, and stuffed animals. Share that beauty while they are alive and show your love for them.