Mr. Graham

Today was a very hard day. I think we've reached the tissue quota.

Our beloved middle school prinicple, David Graham, passed away over the weekend, after battling cancer for the back year and a half. I can't really find the right words to express how...I feel. There aren't words.

David always smiled, as though his face naturally relaxed into a bright, sincere grin. I didn't understand his need to constantly smile. I was young and didn't understand why the smile, just like the Mona Lisa, it was a mystery to me. I think now I understand better; that life is worth smiling about. Mr. Graham had a positivity and engery that I think we all aspire to, but luckily he was always willing to share this gift with everyone. I don't think I've ever met anyone or ever will, who could approach anything with such openness and sunniness. And selflessness. He's one of those people that people don't forget. Mr. Graham, I miss you very much.

Mr. Graham sent me this quote and no one suites this quote more than him and it says all that I could wish to say:

“To laugh often and much;to win the respect of intelligent peopleand the affection of children;to earn the appreciation of honest criticsand endure the betrayal of false friends;to appreciate beauty;to find the best in others;to leave the world a bit better,whether by a healthy child,a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;to know even one life has breathed easierbecause you have lived.This is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson