Never Thought It Would Ever Happen

"I didn't see that coming," is a line from a script spoken by Mark Harmon in his role as a NCIS agent on the popular television drama, "NCIS". It causes me to be mindful of how we are not trained to always expect the unexpected. The tragic loss of 6 Americans in Afghanistan recently struck me in the heart when I first found out from our daughter who called to share with me the news that her gym teacher was shot and killed there. Lindsay's elementary gym teacher was Robert Marchanti. We called him "Mr. Marchanti" because he was our daughter's teacher at Victory Villa Elementary School, where I often worked and called him friend, colleague. He had a commitment. His family shared that commitment to serve, to provide and care for those in need of a better life, safe and free. Freedom and security are so very precious to everyone and still worth standing up for.
A friend at church recently reminded me of the need that we all have for support. Her words when expanded could be simply the message that those who provide for others are just as much in need of support, only a different kind. In education the focus is on the child, the student, the one who at all levels, needs support.
Mr. Marchanti was a gym teacher, an inspiration and he saw each student as a star in training. He let each student know that he or she had the talents to succeed. He inspired many to keep on going. He was the one who encouraged Lindsay to play soccer.
"I didn't see that coming". By the time you think the words you may not have the chance to say them. Let freedom ring!
Thanks, Mr. Marchanti. Freedom rings for you!