Jabberwocky for 2005 August 10

A teacher has an opportunity to get to know many students, and over the years the numbers add up. I always look in the paper to find news of former students.

Usually, the news is not good. They got stabbed in a gang fight or arrested for robbery. Very occasionally, the news will be something positive, but more often, it's an obituary.

Now I read about the funeral of Alexis Burch. She flipped her car off Alfred Harrell Highway and went sailing over the cliff to land on China Grade Loop. I can't even imagine how horrible.

Alexis was my student when she was in the seventh grade, and she was a lovely young lady--beautiful and intelligent and not a bit of trouble. May she rest in peace.