I just wanted to share something because I CAN NOT stop thinking about it and my heart is ACHING! (You will understand after further reading).

I started teaching First Grade in January 2007. I came into a classroom that had A LOT of issues. The teacher was sick and gone a lot of the time, and the students had a lot of personal issues as well. This was my hardest year of teaching, but I also have some of the best memories and relationships with these students.

I had a set of twin boys who were quite a handful! When they weren't acting up, they were really loving and clingy to me. (Which they weren't with anyone else.) I will not go into a lot of the details of these boys, but if you are a teacher you will understand this. The more time you spend with the "trouble" kids, the closer you become with them. These boys have always held a special place in my heart.

They are now in fourth grade. I was informed yesterday that one of them died. He was killed by accidental gunfire. My heart broke immediately! My heart aches for the family, and especially the twin brother.

The teachers at "my" school had a math training today and I was supposed to sub for one of them. They canceled the class, but still asked me to come in. I was there to help where help was needed. I think it helped me more than anything to be there with my friends that also knew this child. It was good to talk with others and to mourn with them.

I know a lot of assumptions and conclusions are being made. There are A LOT of details we are unaware of. All I know is this family needs prayers, and LOTS of them!

These two boys will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thanks for listening!