As a parent, I feel like I am always learning something new. This week I am learning to say goodbye to a good friend and teaching my children to remember the gifts that friend, Mr. Terry, shared with our school. Mr. Terry brought joy, happiness, and laughter to all he met; he will be sorely missed by everyone. He formed many close friendships at Sarah Smith with teachers, students, and parents. Mr. Terry always made it easy for us to love him. One of his greatest gifts was finding your greatest joy, and then he would make it his, too. This was evident in his support of Sarah Smith Students on every baseball, football or track field, basketball court, or musical theater. Taking time on the weekends and school nights to share in our kid's activities. When he arrived at our kids' events, he was often greeted like a celebrity. It's a memory I will treasure, watching the kids know they were special because he was gifting them with his time, watching them do something they loved. He was their biggest fan.

His effort to connect and share in our interests only made those bonds of friendship stronger. His unique ability to support Sarah Smith's families is something that made our school special. He kept us more than safe. He kept us like family.

I, personally, will miss his texts asking for our kid's game schedules. Our regular chats about college football and his detailed scouting reports will not be easily be replaced. Even catching a glimpse of Mr. Terry, all decked out in orange, warmed my heart, sorry Bulldog fans. He knew how happy that made my kids and that happiness spread to me. That was classic Mr.Terry; his small choices could make you feel loved.

There are special people in our lives who never leave us. Mr. Terry's memory will always have a place in our hearts.