Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I hope that I have been able to convey to you
the importance of character
the importance
of morality, the importance of doing the right thing
even when it's not the easy thing
We tend to think
that life is going to go on and on and on
and it doesn't.
Sometimes we get sandbagged
sometimes the very unexpected happens
and we are caught with having to deal with it
without knowing that we do have the tools and capabilities
to deal with it. The past year for my wife and I
have been the
most difficult year of my life.
Everything that I've ever gone through
pales compared to what we
have endured
this past year but
we both learned something very important. It does not stop us
it does not defeat us. We do what we have to do
to survive. We accept
God's will, we accept God's fate
and we do our part.
we never forsake
His love and we appreciate
and cherish all the love
and prayers that were sent our way from you
my students,
my friends. I started teaching 27 years ago
and stood in front of a classroom
and said "What the hell do I do now?"
and I looked over
and I realized there's only one way that you can do this
and do it truthfully: That is to look at those
great faces staring back at you
waiting for you to affect their life
and I decided right then
"What would I do if every child in my classroom
was my own son or daughter?" and from that moment on
my job became much easier
I thank you guys very much
for allowing me to do that, for recognizing that I cared
for being willing
to put up with some of my craziness, and for giving me
the love that you always did.
I guess what I'm trying to say
is that most of my teaching career
was designed to teach you how to live.
I wanted to raise good men and women
caring men and women
who would stand up for the right thing
maybe that was the cowboy hat idea. And you know you very seldom let me down
And now maybe
the last lesson is to teach you how to deal
with these kind of adversities. How to face
that possible end of life
with the same courage and dignity
that you always went through life
I have faith in you
I know that you will make me, your parents,
and "the rock" proud
please remember some of the lessons that I taught you
and go out there and live for me.
Thank you.