it is all good

I had my hubby call the school to see what is going on and he did, finally, talk to T's guidance counselor.  The counselor and THE PRINCIPAL talked and my hubby was told that they are both pleased that T is interested in the on-line school.  I will assume that they are paying for it but I know what happens when you ASS U ME, so I will just have to wait and be prepared.   8 years ago today my oldest son, S, best friend, Ryan, died suddenly. One year ago today, T's friend died suddenly, also.  Two deaths - two responses. Eight years ago, we were out of town this day, and probably would have been up at the pool where his friend died. His friend, Ryan, had a disease that is known to shorten one's life span.  Not many people knew about it (his parents shared it with us) but they were told he would live to be about 40, not 14.  It was so very, very sad because this boy was so well-liked and caring.  He was also wise beyond his young years - the oldest of 5, might have been part of it.  Although I knew how sensitive and caring my son was, I had no idea how profoundly Ryan's death affected him. Years later he said that was why he became very involved in two Christian youth groups at the same time. At this young age, to be touched by the death of someone who was the same age, obviously, makes one thing of "is that all there is" and question the meaning of life. S today is still involved in one of those groups (a volunteer leader for high school students) and has been on two mission trips because of being involved in this group.   T's friend died in police car chase that caused his car to spin out of control and flip. He was coming back from a concert and had been drinking, apparently.  I found out later that he had had a court date coming up that might have sent him to jail, which may have had him do what he did.   Anyway, He was 19, two years older than T and was also a very, very well liked young man.  His family has had their share of burdens - his little sister (about 4 or 5 at the time) developed cancer, his father (who he was extremely close to) died when he was in 7th or 8th grade, and then his poor mom!  His friends were devastated, too, including T.  I didn't realize how close T was (didn't bring his friends around here back then) but he took it harder than I expected. In fact, this is when T relapsed.  He told us, when we confronted him with the school support team and PO, that his friend's death upset him so much that he didn't know how to handle it.  Two deaths - two responses and 7 years a part. What prompted me to write about this is I saw T's friend's picture in the memorial section in the paper.  I am glad I saw it.  I think of S's friend quite often - and think of him when I go out to my garden.  I bought a hydrangea plant to remember him because the flowers were blue at the time and his favorite color was blue.  Today - the plant has one flower.  I know it's Ryan reminding me that he never left.