Jeanine Sanchez

As a teacher, I have met many wonderful kids during my 33 years in education. I also had the joy of being a mom to 4 great kids. Their friends were sometimes like my own kids, especially since I saw them EVERYDAY at school. When I was on recess duty, they couldn't get away with anything .....I knew all their parents. Watching children grow and leave is hard, but that's the way it is supposed to be. Once in awhile, Jake's friends stop by the house to say hi and I love seeing the adults they have become, but I also still see the child. That's what happens to teachers and parents. Not long ago, I asked about Mike, but Jake hadn't seen him recently. When I hear the name Mike Vega, I always smile. Growing up, the boys would always come by my classroom and try to con me into taking them somewhere. I had the big black suburban, so as Taxi Mom, I usually had a group of kids in the back. One night, ( I think the kids were about junior high age), I was driving them somewhere and Mike decided that he was going to ride shotgun with me so that he could control the radio. It was BLASTING!!! I tried to turn it down, but Mike gave me that smile of his with a "Come on Mrs. Sanchez", so there I was driving along with eight boys singing "Girls, All We Want Are Girls" at the top of their lungs and the windows were open. I got some funny looks that night. When Jay called me yesterday, I had to leave a meeting because I was so sad. Not for Mike, but for all the lives that are affected by what seems so senseless, but in actuality, was life's plan for Mike. I always tell my kids to live each day as though it was their last on Earth, because sometimes it is. Life gets hectic, but take the time to go back and give that person that you care about a hug.