Vandy Again

Hard to see what I'm typing through tears...

We all knew this day would come, hoping only that he'd not suffer too much in passing.
From Hawk's report, sounds like we got our wish.
For me, it's a strange feeling, losing this man.
Other than the fleeting conversations I stole during our reunions, I've had no contact with him at all since graduation.
And yet, it's somewhat like losing a Father.

Vandy counseled me on more than one occasion in High School. I wasn't a bad kid, just "high spirited".
I received a ticket for reckless driving on the way to school once, from a State Trooper who initially would have had my head on a plate had he been able. He wrote the ticket in Vandy's office, with Mr. V. looking over his shoulder.
Then somewhere along the line, this Trooper had an attitude change, and actually came to court with me to plead for a mild sentence.
I think I know what happened to cause that change of heart.

You've read my post about Tools, Ron, and I bein' expelled.
What else could he have done? He made his point, then the anger was gone. After, he treated me no differently than he had before... no differently than he treated any other student.

He touched us all, shaped us all, directed us all.
We are what we are, to some extent, because of the guidance, strength, and example of this man.
We'll all miss him.
I'm grateful to have known him.