Today, I remember the name Rachel Davino.  She was an employee at the school.  She was 29, and one report indicated her boyfriend was about to propose to her.  Like the other staff killed at Sandy Hook Elementary, she reportedly was defending and protecting students at the time of her death.  There are Rachels everywhere….I know her….my children learn in her classrooms, I work with her, I plan lessons with her, I solve problems with her, I exchange laughter with her, and I trust get to do her job….and she does it well.   Teachers are in it for the children….in it all that way.  Teachers and school employees are a selfless group.  It saddens me that in recent years we are not portrayed that way.

I was reminded of selflessness yesterday at the funeral of Dr. Robert Scheidt.  All he did and all he accomplished was due to the ability of God to work in and through his life.  I was also reminded when my sister–Janeen Thelen– wrote the following post.  Giving of self is to live according to the example of Christ.

‘Tis the season to be jolly? Ever wonder who first said that? Christmas is quickly approaching and I have tried my hardest to enjoy it, but I have found myself in tears the last two nights from being stressed about… you guessed it… Christmas. For the first 15 years Bob Thelen and I were together, we tried to juggle the time we spent with all our family that was on opposite sides of the state (I realize we are fortunate to be in the same state). As a result, I only spent 5 of those Christmas Days with the Allen side of the family in order to keep peace on earth. I found myself feeling angry and full of regret because my mom sacrificed that for me and now she is not here to celebrate with me here on earth. Then, I remembered what my mom told me. It is similar to what Kris Kringle said in Miracle on 34th Street: “Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind … ” Mom was a giving, selfless person. She told me that whatever day we were together was Christmas. We could make Christmas any day we wanted, and that day WOULD BE Christmas. The important thing was just that we were together. Tonight my sister, Mary Ann Falk and her husband reminded me of that when they changed the day Santa will come to their house due to a last minute change in our holiday plans. This gesture reminded me that Mom is here on earth with me… she lives on in the heart and soul of my sister, my children, and even me. I miss her smile, her soft hugs, the good smell of her perfume, her laugh, and her voice; but, it is comforting to know that the best parts of her are here to stay!!