After graduating from high school in 1997, I wrote Mr. Smith a letter thanking him for everything he had ever taught me. It was lengthy and I was afraid the message would get lost in the wordiness. In responding, Mr. Smith told me that he had shared this letter with a student teacher. She immediately started crying. He said, "THIS is what teaching is all about. THIS is what makes all of the long days worth while." He was a very special man who appreciated our immaturity.... or excitement for life. He allowed us to goof off, tell jokes, cry about our problems and have a "nothing" day. We had MUCH respect for him. When it was time to be serious, he never had to fight with us. He LISTENED to us. He actually CARED about us. We never felt as though we were burdens or that being with us was part of his job. Graduation night, he gave us a pep talk in the auditorium before we walked the stage. We were told of the significance of the night and to remember that this was the last time that all of us would be in the same room together. He said that some of us would move and some would pass, but that we should cherish this moment. As he stood at the bottom of the ramp of the stage to send us off, he must have received a hug from each and every one of us as we went back to our seats. We loved him so much. There is a country song from the movie soundtrack "8 Seconds" that has always reminded me of him. Once in a While by Billy Dean. "Once in a while Someone comes along That one in a million heart So pure and so strong They can face up to the tears And somehow still find a smile We only get it Every once in a while Once in while Someone has the eyes That one in a million look Never tells lies They can get you on your feet To walk that extra mile But we only see it Every once in a while That's why we call them heroes That's why we know their names And once you've heard their stories You're never quite the same That's why we call them heroes The best thing they ever do Is point to the best in us all And say, "If I can, you can too" Once in a while I still hear his voice That one in a million sound Like two laughin' boys He would hate it if we cried That never was his style Oh, we still miss him Every once in a while Oh, they can face up to the tears And somehow still find a smile But we only get it Every once in a while Oh, how I miss him Every once in a while" I will miss you. All of my love, Jess