How do you deal with the loss of a child? Not my child, but one of my bus riders. Floyd (nickname I gave him in the first grade) was a fun loving, laughing, always doing something silly, nice, sweet, innocent,  3rd grade boy that I loved taking to school everyday. He knew he was my favorite on the bus, yes, I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but he was. He asked me one day as we’re going down the road, in the middle of the conversation, he says “Theresa, am I your favorite on the bus?” Without thinking, I said “Yes” followed by “OOPS, I’m not supposed to have favorites!”  Oh well, I’m glad now that I slipped and confirmed what he already knew. Yes Floyd was my favorite! We had a friendship that I will cherish forever! He would make signs and hang them up on the bus, last week was Kansas day and the kids made Jayhawks, so he gave me his and  hung the Jayhawk up in the window of the bus.  I’m going to have to take it down eventually, but not yet.  I don’t want to accept the fact that Floyd will no longer be out waiting for the bus or come out of school and tell me what happened at school that day or what silly thing he did while playing at home.  As I sit here writing, the tears are streaming down my face.  I’m not looking forward to driving this afternoon. I didn’t learn of the tradgedy until I had finished my morning route.  This is going to be a long week.  I wish I had one more time to tell him, how special he was to me, how he brightened up my days with his silly questions and stories. I will never forget my special Floyd!

Here’s the Jayhawk he made. He laughed about putting the wings upside down, but he didn’t care!

Give your loved ones an extra hug and kiss today and be sure to tell them that you love them, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Theresa aka Bacon (Floyds nickname for me)