Positive thoughts and prayers asked for a student...

Today was the first day back from winter break for my violin students.

From the very second I saw them walk in, something didn't feel right. None of them were happy and in high spirits like usually were. Usually everyone has a smile on their face as they walk in and greet me. I brushed it off as disappointment about being back in school instead of home sleeping in and playing video games. Honestly I was disappointed that winter break was over as well.

As I was tuning the violins, a student named Bethany told me "Jacquan had to go to Texas and she won't be coming for violin anymore" Thinking that was odd I asked "Oh, why won't she be coming to violin anymore" and she replies "Because her mom died, so she and her sister have to move." Immediately my heart sank. To make matters worse the student said "Jacquan's dad also died two years earlier..." When Bethany told me all this, I could see the hurt in her face even more so because she was very close friends with Jacquan. Throughout class Bethany still tried hard to be happy and even occasionally smile.

The violin students told me that Jacquan asked the principal to have an assembly that day so she could say good-bye to all her friends and teachers before she left for Texas. She left contact information for all the students and teachers to write her. I'm definitely going to do just that. I just wish I could’ve said good-bye.

Every time I think it about it, it makes my heart sad. I have gotten to know Jacquan over the past few months. I saw something special in her from the very moment I met her. She was always very energetic, cheery, and enthusiastic about learning. She had one of those positive personalities that everyone loved to be around. She was one of my favorite students because her eagerness made teaching more enjoyable for me. Sometimes I wonder why bad things happen to good people...This was a bright little girl who despite everything tried to make others happy.

It's going to be hard teaching those students each day knowing Jacquan is missing. I will truly miss her presence and energy she brought into the class. Loosing a parent at 11 years old is such a terrible thing...and she had lost both of them. It's been nothing but obstacles for that little girl to overcome. She lost not just one but two parents and of all times..around Christmas, she was so poor that they had to collect money for the burial of her mother, and she also had to leave her friends, people she knew well, to live with relatives in another state. I could only imagine how difficult things are for her now.

Having to witness this teaches me to be more grateful for the friends and family I have and how life has been much better for me. By reading this I hope then when things seem like they're going bad for you, you'll think about this little girl and realize that any problems you or I may face is nothing compared to what this little girl has had to go through. She can definitely use prayers and thoughts at this time.

Mano, I'm so sorry to hear about your little student's sad story. You describe her as someone who is so full of life and I'm sure that with time, she will overcome her sorrow and will grow up to be a strong and creative adult. Children are amazing, and they have a great capacity to nourish their positive aspects with a little help from adults who care.

Do not just write her a letter, but try to keep a correspondence with her. Encourage her to continue with her music, you do know better than anyone the miracle and the power of music. I'm sure that you will be able to help her heal faster.

I can only imagine the sadness that you must be feeling right now. Keep your chin up, you're bringing joy into the lives of many.

And try to get some sleep Mano. It's one in the morning in San Diego :o

I don't think Mano ever sleeps...We catch up with each other all kinds of strange hours on IM! Must be the Starbucks.

Prayers for your student hon..and big hugs to you. Life just isn't fair...

How awful for Jacquan and her sister. I'll definitely keep them both in my thoughts and prayers.

You are absolutely right, Mano. Just when we think that things are bad in our own lives, we hear of things like this happening that seem so senseless.

Yet she will grow up to be a strong young lady. And, just think. For a while, you had a very positive influence on her life. And actually, you can continue to do so by corresponding with her and offering her hope and encouragement.

(((( hugs to you and Jacquan and her sister ))))

A very heartbreaking story indeed....let us put our own troubles aside for a moment and think of little Jaquan and her sister. Prayerfully I ask for special guidance and protection for them. Both physical and spiritual. Bless their little hearts. Mano, you sure do have a great big heart. I think you definately are at a place in your life that you are supposed to be. And I am sure the positive seeds you have sown into Jaquans life will make a difference for her. :)

Mano,

That is a terrible burden for any young person to bear, but especially such a young child.

I'll definitely offer Jacquan my own thoughts and prayers, adding them to those of everyone else here.

My thoughts and prayers go with little Jacquan and her sister. God will keep her just as he always has, and despite all that's happened I know her life will be better because she's had YOU as a teacher.

"thoughts and prayers".......done. wish i could do more. bless their hearts. :(

Mano,

First of all , my prayers go out to Jacquan ( thats a beautiful name ) and her family. I agree with Aline. A well placed support system in a time of family crisis such as this, would be the best thing in the world for Jacquan to have, to give her the strength to help her pull through this.

I hope that you and your students keep in touch with her through personal letters, Msn messenger, and e-mails. This would mean the world to her and help her in her healing. Amen!!! ;)

This is a terrible thing for anyone to go through let alone little girls. Yet little Jacquan seems to be blessed in that she has you, and perhaps others, that care so much for her. I hope you do keep up a correspondence with her, as Aline suggested. She needs all the love and understanding she can get right now.

Thank you for sharing Mano.

I thought that losing my legs at 45 was bad, but my problem feels so trivial compared to losing both parents by the time you're 11. My prayers are with her. God Bless.

My thoughts and prayers too Mano....

Very sad story indeed, my prayer goes to her new life...Hoping that whoever is taking those lil ones in, has a big heart, alot of understanding and caring. May they give them love to help them eazy the pain of losing a mother.

*prays for them and their new life*

That's very sad, Mano... I hope Jacquan will do well in her new circumstances... amazing how people touch our lives, especially those little ones.

It certainly is a tragedy at such a young age to lose both parents. As I read your post I cried....to the point of gasping for air......many memories came to mind.

4 years ago, while employed in the California school system, I too experienced such a tragedy with a little girl and her family......her mother also died....however, by the hand of her father, and she witnessed it. She was a a brave little girl, for there was a baby brother involved, and the father was threatening them all.......this little girl somehow managed to get the baby out of the house, and call 911........however, they did not arrive in time to stop the brutal murder..........

this little girl lost her mother by death and the father to the California penal system....the grandmother whom lived with her was too old to take care of her and her siblings, so the children were separated from her and sent to live with a family member who was a total stranger to them......

This little girl was like your little friend, she too was 11.......our school became very close as a community during this tragedy and we all pitched in to help the family for as long as they allowed the help.......all the children kept in contact with her for a few years.......but last we heard, she was shuffled off to the 3rd family as of this date.......

She, unlike your little friend, came from a upper middle class family, from a wonderful neighborhood........the mother was a stay at home parent, the father was a laborer who provided for his family........he just snapped........

I know ours is not to question God, for He purposes everything in our lives.....but I cannot help to wonder why, at such a young age, must children witness or suffer the loss of their parents in any form........

You are a wonderful man Mano, with a beautiful heart and soul. She was truly blessed to have you as a teacher, as a friend, as a mentor........she will carry you with her all the days.........you gave her the gift of music.......for when she is saddened and lonely....she will turn to her music for comfort........

We are all truly blessed here on the board for your genuine friendship and thoughts.......just as this little one is.........

And, I agree......sometimes we, as humans, tend to over compensate for our own trials and tribulations, when at times they are so minor in comparison to what these two little girls have suffered.....

I, too, have learned not to take my friends and family for granted, and especially my daughter, she will and is forevermore the center of my world, my love......I cannot imagine her to go through life without me as these girls are.......

I hope that your classes' hearts will lighten with each passing day......

love,
sora