Perspective
On Monday, I had to drive the van to school because the truck had to go back in the shop–they had put in a new clutch, but it wasn’t right. And I couldn’t drive the Camry because the front tire was sounding funny and so Jay wanted to check it. And then on the way, first my “check engine” light went on. After another 10 minutes, the alternator light went on, and in a little while my lights started to get dimmer. I kept praying that I would make it to school before they went out completely. First the dog, now this. To say I was getting “het up” is an understatement.
Then I got to school and a teacher was crying. And I found out about Miss Jane. Miss Jane was a first grade teacher at Lebanon Elementary who died suddenly on Monday. She had collapsed and gone into kidney failure and a coma on Sunday. There was no brain activity after they revived her. They told us she died at noon. Our whole school is in shock. Both faculty and students are devastated. Miss Jane was the kindest, most gentle spirit in our school. Everyone loved her. She nurtured her students into their learning. Here is part of a letter from my principal:
Yesterday was such a sad day for all of us. To lose someone, as special as Jane, is difficult to take in.
Now comes the hard part. We must pull ourselves together and get on about the business at hand. Our students deserve to have normalcy as much as possible. We need to get back to a regular schedule just as Jane would want us to. If you have any students that are still having a difficult time, please call the office and we will get them and take them to a quiet place. All too often, one crying leads to many others doing the same.
Today was a rough day. I certainly don’t care to repeat it ever again. However, I remember the great times with Jane and the encouragement that she offered me each day. These memories are what we must rely on now to help us during the coming days.
Stevie Daugherty asked me to send her some thoughts about Jane and I wanted to share them with you:
Jane Mattingly, “Miss Jane” as she was affectionately known by her
students, was such a wonderful, caring teacher. She loved every one of
these kids as if they were her own children. I think this story tells it
best: As a teacher was holding one of the students today on her lap,
the teacher asked why she liked Miss Jane and the student simply
replied, “Because she loved me!” and she did. It didn’t matter who the
child was, what color of skin they had or whether the child was rich or poor, Mrs.
Mattingly loved them all. Another student, even though he didn’t have
Mrs. Mattingly for a teacher, was crying and when asked why, he
replied, “Miss Jane told me that I was such a good boy!” That about says it all.
Her death will certainly leave a void in our school and in our lives.
She has touched everyone of us in special ways. Keep your spirits up and know that Jane will be smiling down on us and watching over us as we go through each day!
Miss Jane’s funeral is on Thursday at St. Dominic’s in Springfield. Please pray with me for her family and for everyone in our school community who will miss her so much. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t stick her head in the library door and say, “How’s is going, Ms. Wood?” I will miss her very much. I’m certain I now know another saint that will pray for me.