was the day Parsons was in his fatal accident. Who would have thought that someone could pass away riding a golf cart. I can't imagine what it was like for the other teachers who were there to witness their best friend die, and I still can't imagine it being Shoe's bachelor party. I wouldn't have had the guts to get married after that. I mean, how could he not... but , well kudos because that had to be difficult!
I still can't believe that I was a junior in high school three years ago - I felt so old then, and now as a sophomore in college I feel ridiculously old. I see the freshman here who went to Robinson and think wow, I was them. It's insane.
Technically today isn't the day Parsons was pronounced dead. Today's just 3 years from the accident. October 2nd, two days from now, is when they took him off life support. I can still remember exactly where I was when I knew. SAT prep in Denton's class.
I knew because I heard them call Ms. Langley's name over the intercom. My heart fell when they called for her to go to the office. They hadn't announced his death yet, but I knew. I began crying and a few people just kind of looked at me. Within the next 30 minutes they made the announcement that he had passed away.
A few days later we had a memorial service at school. The second they began playing his song I started bawling. I'm still not really sure why. Of course I knew him and had talked with him, but I wasn't close to him like a few people I know. My sister, for one. Ms Langley, for another. My brother had him as a teacher. I met him a few times and remember seeing him ALL the time standing outside of the weight room. He always had a smile on his face; it was impossible not to see him.
I just wish I knew him better. I wish that everyone could know him better. I wish his friends didn't have to feel the pain that they do. I know how unbearable that kind of pain can be and I don't think anyone should ever feel it. I hope that his family can continue to work through this and think of the good and bad times. Just because someone passes doesn't mean we should forget the bad times - they're what make the good times better.
I don't really know what else to say. There isn't usually anything that can be said.
I hope Robinson continues to remember. This is the last year of students at JayRob who were there the day Parsons died. I know they didn't know him as well as we did, but I hope they remember him and will maybe even wear green on the second (Friday, right?). I hope that others see majority of the senior class wearing green or representing Parsons and ask about him. I hope his memory live on in Robinson forever because Parsons was a big part of Robinson, a big part of all of us.
We still miss you Parsons. You will never be forgotten because you're impossible to forget. We love you Parsons. Those who knew you very well and those who only knew of you a little - we will always remember you and love you. I can't say it enough - you're one of the best teachers Robinson ever day. You knew how to get laughs and cheer people up. You were real and weren't afraid of connecting with your students. That's something we'll always appreciate.
RIP, Benjamin Romance Parsons. 1/31/79 - (9/30/06)(10/2/06 )
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