Be careful out there

Molly S. and Kate at graduation, May '08

This is a picture of my daughter Kate and her best friend MollyS. The reason best friend Molly has a special suffix to her name is because of our Molly. Believe it or not, MollyS. has an older sister named Katherine/Katie. You can see how it becomes pretty confusing. Also, Patty, Molly and Katie (and Joseph's) mother is one of my best friends and the sister of my heart. Yesterday morning she was in a serious car accident. It happened in our residential neighborhood. Someone driving a van (and in a hurry) ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed and hit her as she was crossing the intersection. She is in the hospital today, in the pic-unit (one below intensive care) with a fractured ankle, fractured pelvis, internal bleeding, spinal fractions, neck traction and a host of other less serious injuries. She is going to be fine and I know she is receiving the best of care. Her doctor husband promised me :). The guy who hit her walked away from the accident. According to our dog walking neighbors, the van driver had been reported for speeding before. This time it looks like they caught him. Too bad someone had to pay the price. Please pray for Patty's recovery. Pray for her family. And pray for the van driver. Please be extra careful with you and yours today. I love you all.

The End.....(for now)

Well, year 26. It's done. Over. Finished. Fini. It's hard to believe I have taught school this long. It's really remarkable to me because every September it's a new beginning. It's just like starting again. I haven't done anything for 26 years in a row, except breathe! I can't believe I have it in me to stick with anything this long. I've been a sister my whole life, an aunt for 31 years, a student for 19 years, married for 20 years (this time:), been a mother for (nearly) 19, ...you get the idea. I have taught school over half of my life! YIKES!!! I've been teaching sooo long that now parents are asking me, "Mrs. Loar...How much longer do you think you'll be doing this?" That line always cracks me up...."doing this," like I might be involved in some type of nefarious or shady occupation. Anyway, the answer.....until it quits being fun. Until it quits being rewarding. Until I no longer have the passion and excitement to teach. When September rolls around I'll be there.....one more time.

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge--

That myth is more potent than history.

I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts--

That hope always triumphs over experience--

That laughter is the only cure for grief.

And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Robert Fulghum