Honoring one of ours. . .

With a sad heart, I mention one of our former students, Navy SEAL Adam Smith, who was killed in Afghanistan yesterday. Our town is so very small, so fiercely close-knit, --- the news hits almost everyone in a personal, visceral way. Not only did I have the opportunity to teach Adam a few short years ago, I was also privileged to teach his mother and father during the very early years at my school.

Adam loved the military and was serving his third, I believe, tour of duty in an area of critical concern. His helicopter went down Monday, killing all nine young soldiers on board. Life is so very fragile, so extremely precious, so distinctly our own--- yet not ours to grasp. Thank you for praying for Adam's mother, one of my dear friends and former students. She is no doubt living her worst nightmare this week as she flies to meet her son and bring him home.