AMC

As most of you know, I have begun my student teaching experience. And, the first two days were a roller coaster. The first day of my internship was the day after a student had killed herself. The second day we had a "lock down" drill to rehearse the procedures in the case of a gunman or other similar threat. During this the students were joking about what was going on, pretending to shoot guns, and laughing about the what-ifs. Needless to say I didn't find this funny, especially in light of the previous day's situation, and was instantly brought back to a tragic day in April of 2007. One of my friends was taken to Heaven on that day, and I think it is important for us to remember how special life is and to not take anything for granted. Shortly after that day in April I wrote a poem to remember Austin Cloyd. I think about her often, but the reality of what happened to her was thrown in my face on my second day student teaching. Below is the poem-- I feel that I need to let her know I am thinking about her and that she is not forgotten. I will celebrate her life and be happy that I knew her for as long as I am allowed to be on this earth.

AMC

Still so young and still so sweet
With a character full of promise complete
Bright cascading hair and a brilliant sparkling smile
Is a picture in my memory that will stay a while
Your inspiring potential and endless generosity
Was quickly stolen in a moment of hostility
I ask myself and question day after day
How someone could be so selfish and take you away
With one terrifying shot your world went instantly black
And left the world mourning, taken tragically aback
I replay that day in my head over and over again
Only to be reminded of how lonely the world is since then
How perfectly brave you were in that dire hour
To see your life flash before your eyes as bullets began to shower
One day I wish to help fulfill your life saving dreams
But to a person like me that is much harder than it seems
With each passing day I seem to find myself missing you more
You, the beautiful girl, that the world has come to so rightly adore
But I know for certain that Heaven is where you can now be found
With the Lord and fellow 31 angels, smiling all around
It is unjust and unfair to have your life stolen from you
But I pray you rest in peace, amongst that endless blue