Tonight was a beautiful evening, the kind that makes you stop and take notice, spend time looking… and thinking.
I needed to do some thinking. A child who was in my class years ago passed away. The funeral was a roller coaster of emotions, especially when the mom saw me and held on, crying, as if we were on a sinking ship.
Yes, we were on a sinking ship.
I can tell you all the bright, wonderful things about this student, the memories, the smiles; but that still stings. I couldn’t shake the grief, and the memories didn’t help.
Until today.
Tonight I saw beauty- flowers, sun and shade, and a picture perfect view of, well, life. Nature is life, and it is beautiful. This hit me. I knew the world was giving me peace, at last.
There is a higher power that understands and knows what to do, like opening the beautiful world for our eyes to see. Nature is beauty, and beauty is peace. I have found peace.
Pandora music just happened to play the perfect song, “Wildfire.” Coincidence? I think not.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
So sad to hear of your student passing, and glad that Mother Nature brought you some comfort.
Thank you, FR. 🥰
I’m so sorry ❤ and the universe has a way of reminding us what is so beautiful about life, even with all the pain
Beautifully said, and so true. 💕
I hope the student is healed in heaven❤️ and nature is indeed peace, Ma’am. Thank you for sharing this :))
I hope so, too. Yes, nature is peace. If only we all took notice. Many thanks!
How beautiful Jennie, this post bring hope to all of us . How sad that your students died so young …life can be cruel but then again it can be wonderful, truly wonderful.
Lovely song. 💜
This was tough, Willow. While nature gave me a great surge of peace to get over the hump, it will take time to really feel okay. 19 years old is too young to die. You are so right that life can be both cruel and wonderful. 💕
Oh! 19 so very young .. blessings to you and the poor girl family 💜💜
Thank you! 💕
Finding peace during such a difficult time is an act of grace. May peace be with all who loved him. ❤️
That is such a kind and lovely thing to say. Thank you, Alethea.
I am so sorry to hear this. How awful for the parents. My parents never got over the loss of my 19-year-old brother. Of course, many others will feel the loss. I’m glad you have found some peace, and the song is so timely and so perfect. Nature is life, beauty and peace. At my brother’s funeral, the Minister said, “God gave us memories so we will have roses in December.” I think of that so often. xo
This child was 19, like your brother. I’d forgotten that you lost a brother, Darlene. Was he younger or older than you? What a beautiful thing for the minister to say at the funeral. No wonder it stuck with you. I really found peace yesterday to get me over the hump. Isn’t nature the best? Many thanks!
My brother, Tim, was 7 years younger than me. There is something about the age 19, just on the cusp of adulthood. I agree, nature is the best. xo
So sad! Yes, 19 is right on the cusp, making it even more difficult to handle. Thank goodness for nature!
Nature certainly did give us roses – how lovely, Darlene! So very sad Jennie…Yesterday, someone on line asked how older people coped with grief as they have lost so many family members and friends and I wrote back “One eye smiles while the other weeps.” It is particularly hard if the grieved person is young. May he rest in peace.
Yes, the Minister’s roses quotation at Darlene’s brother’s funeral was really wonderful. Nature’s beauty is quite the healer. It seems the younger the person, the harder the grief- especially for the parents. Your ‘one eye’ comment is how it is for us older folks. My grandmother lost her parents, siblings, husband, and children. All she had left were her grandchildren, and she was the fun, happy, ever-positive one. I hope others find her strength. Thank you, Joy.
Jennie, I’m so sorry for such a loss. I said a prayer for this student’s family, the mother, for you…the peace in nature reminds of the beauty that co-exists, even in pain. I’m like you, Jennie. I have to process the pain. Stop. Think. Look around. I don’t understand the unexpectedness that life hands—or to whom it impacts. I’ll be sending lots of hugs as I go out today finding peace in the outdoors. I will remember this song. Blessings and hugs, RF 💛💕🙏
Thank you for your beautiful words, and your prayers, Karla. Nature is such a gift; it brings us joy and beauty, and also peace and healing. I hope you found some in the outdoors today. Blessings and hugs to you, too. 🥰
You’re welcome, Jennie. You are so wise. And yes, I was able to get outdoors! We’ve had a nice break from the heat. Many blessings and hugs, always! 💕🤗
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Beautifully written … and peace and strength to all mourning a loss.
Thank you, Frank.
Life seems to be filled with these moments of joy and sadness. Making sense of the unexplainable (a child dying before their parent) has to be one of the hardest things we humans go through. I wish the family and you many happy memories of this young man.
Life is certainly filled with joy and sadness. Yes, a child dying before the parents has to be the hardest. Thank you, Pete. I hope the happy memories will help the family and continue to help me. Nature got me over the hump.
Beautiful elegy, Jennie.
Thank you, Don.
Life is especially hard to make sense of when a child or young person dies, Jennie. I hope finding beauty in this world continues to help to ease the pain.
Thank you, Dan. Yes, it’s hard to make sense when it’s a young person. A child is even harder. Ten years ago a child in our school drowned in their swimming pool, the teacher is still ‘bothered’. I would be, too. School honors that child with a scholarship to a graduating high school student who attended our preschool. Are you ready for this? The child’s mother attends the award ceremony every year and speaks. How does someone do that? Nature certainly got me over the hump. I’m doing okay. 🙂
So sorry for your loss – Wildfire expresses it well.
hugs
Thank you, Laura. It really is the perfect song!
God is ever merciful and his grace is with us. Beautiful pictures of nature and it sure was peaceful, Jennie.
Thank you for your beautiful words, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie 😊🙏🏻🙏🏻
It really hits hard when a child passes away. I’m glad you found a ccomforting peace. Nature is wonderful in that way.
It does hit hard, Sandrah. Thank goodness for nature! Many thanks.
Oh, Jennie, how sad! This is one of the hardest pieces of news to digest. I am so sorry for you, and the family. I am glad you found solace in the world around you. Hugs ❤
Thank you for your kind words, Ritu. It was so sad! The beautiful world does give us solace.
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I am so very sorry for your loss. The memories that you hold will keep that student safe and protected in your heart. Never forget that.
Beautiful words, Pam. Thank you.
I’m sorry for the family and your loss Jeannie. There is peace in knowing the regenerative process of life. We are all here, but who is to say we only visit once? Hugs to you.
Thank you, John. Yes, you are right. True words.
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If only we could all enjoy the beauty of our world and stop fighting with each other!!!1
Amen!
A beautiful song to go with the memories and nature made it a perfect time …
Thank you, Carol! 🥰
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So sorry for such a cruel loss and I’m glad you’ve found peace, Jennie. I pray the student’s mother will also find some solace in due course.
Thank you, Sarah. It was cruel, and I have found peace. I hope the student’s mother will find peace down the road. Honestly, I can’t imagine losing a child.
I agree! It must be the worst blow…
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Oh that was sad indeed, but nature has a way of healing our hearts and minds, and reminds us that life continues when we are gone.
My condolences, dear Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete. x
You sound just like me. Thank you, Pete.
So sad for you. Glad you saw beauty to give you peace . Nature comes to the rescue in many ways. Take care Jennie.
Beautifully said, and thank you!
Hi Jennie, it is always tragic when young people pass away. I’m glad you’ve found some closure.
Hi Robbie, yes it is always sad and tragic. Thank goodness Mother Nature has been a great healer.
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Thank you.
I’m so sorry, Jenny. Our lives are so temporary. I’m glad you found some peace. It’s the gift of the earth.
Thank you, Diana. Temporary is a good word. Earth and all it gives is very healing, it truly feeds the soul.
I once had the privilege of speaking at a Mass for a student who had died with her father in a car crash. I was grateful that I really knew her in the brief three months I taught her to be able to talk truthfully and emotionally about her. I lost a number of students over the years, young adults all. Very sad experiences, but lovely to think about them now and then. Your post allowed me to do that just now.
I am very glad you thought about those students. Memories are a treasure. What a moving experience it must have been for you to speak at her funeral, and a privilege.
Yes. Her mother really appreciated my knowing her daughter.
How wonderful!
It is so sad to lose a young life. A mother should not grieve the loss of a child, nor should a teacher. I’m pleased you have found peace. I haven’t listened to Wildfire for many years, but used to. A lot. Beautiful song. I have the album.
Thank you, Norah. You have the album? Wow. The song is still in my head.
Yes. Beautiful music.
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That was really sad to hear. It really hurts when someone close to you dies, especially if they are you ger that you. But what this teaches us is to appreciate life, clelebrate their memories, as short as they may be, remembering the happy moments with them is something to cherish.
Well said. Thank you.
I’m a teacher too, I understand how that could make you feel. 🌹🤍