Monday, September 20, 2010

Almost Heaven, West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been - and I've been lots of places. I love the texture, the colors, the surprising vistas around every curve. Instead of taking the highway today, I took John Denver's "country roads", and what a treat! He was right, it IS almost heaven.

But the joys of my day were overshadowed by sorrow. One of the students that I recruited from West Virginia 4 years ago lost his battle with cancer today. When I got the news, I sat in my car and cried. It isn't that I was particularly close to this boy, but that's what he was, a boy. A brillant, kind-hearted young boy. Had he lived, he'd have graduated from college this coming May, very likely near the top of his class - he was just that smart. When he was diagnosed with cancer last year, he "friended" me on Facebook and sent me a message to let me know what was going on, but also how my husband and I had made an impact on his life. I wish I had kept that message. I honestly never thought that he wouldn't win this battle. He was such a GOOD person, and in my mind, bad things don't happen to good people.

Enjoy Heaven, kiddo. I'm down here in Almost Heaven thinking of you up there.

8 comments:

Rhoda said...

It's always so sad when a young person dies. It isn't the natural order of things. You think they have so much more to offer.

Becky said...

That is so tragic.

Michelle said...

Prayers being sent to his family!! I pray that they are dealing as well as they can in this sad time!

Barb H said...

Oh, losing a child is so hard. It's just not right, is it? I hope there was time with his family and friends to do and say what they all needed to.

Char said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your student. It's really hard when a young person dies. Saying a prayer for the family.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

touching post, Erin. the loss is felt even when we don't know him.

Shay said...

I almost cried when I read this. All that possibility gone. My thoughts are with you and his family.

Kim said...

Well this indeed made me cry.
Cancer knows no limits....young, old,
rich, poor and every race suffer....I've already lost two siblings to cancer and two are still fighting this dreaded disease.

It was so nice of him to let you know that your life touched his.

Safe travels and happy Sewing when you get home