Hi My Beautiful Boy,
I miss you sweet son, I miss your smile, your love for me, your presence, your laugh, your beautiful eyes, and your hugs.
It's seems like everyday no matter what I have the beautiful opportunity to speak to someone about my beautiful boy who has gone on to heaven before me. Today when I speak of you it seems that I am able to remember more about your wonderful 25 years here on earth with us as opposed to just remembering your death and passing:) It is so good to have all the wonderful years of your life flooding my memory now, because before all i could think about was that you had died and how sad i was because of it. I am sad that you are no longer with me, but today it is so wonderful to also be able to speak of how much joy and love you gave while you were here.
yesterday was another busy day trying to get all the things done around here before Journey's next competition. Laundry, packing, setting up a house and dog sitter, running errands and taking care of all the loose ends before we go.
I haven't left the house for a few days now except to get a few things from the store, and I haven't found a penny or feather for a while. But last night as I stood out back for a few minutes looking up to the sky, I had this overwhelming feeling deep within that something wonderful was gonna be returned to me that was yours. I can't seem to shake that feeling. So I wait in great excitement and anticipation of what will be.
I am going to share something very special with you now that came to me in am email from one of your old teachers back in the 8Th grade when you were a student at Carmichael middle school. I remember you being in a class where the teacher was supposed to teach a few of you kids that beat to your own drum "how to behave in class. But as it turned out, he ending up loving all you kids in his "Breakfast Club" and didn't want to give you back. He did allow you to be exactly who you were, what a great man. I wish there were more teachers like him in this world, more kids would be better off and go on to turn out to be great young adults, like you son. Mr. Neidhold is now a Richland High school L.A. teacher, Greg had him last semester, and didn't make the connection of you and him being brother until just this week. So here it is. When I read this email, I laughed and cried tears of love.
From Mr. Mike Neidhold:
I think of Nick…and I smile. I had him in the 8th grade at Carmichael…we had a “special” class of young boys who couldn't’t seem to behave in class. The other 8th grade teachers gave them to me and I was supposed to make it so miserable for these boys that they would go back to their original class and behave…just the opposite happened. We came to really respect each other, we made a community in that class, and Nick was a valued member of that crew. I am not kidding, these kids were tough, and all they wanted was someone to believe in them and give them a chance in class at being who they were, not something they were not.
I miss you sweet son, I miss your smile, your love for me, your presence, your laugh, your beautiful eyes, and your hugs.
It's seems like everyday no matter what I have the beautiful opportunity to speak to someone about my beautiful boy who has gone on to heaven before me. Today when I speak of you it seems that I am able to remember more about your wonderful 25 years here on earth with us as opposed to just remembering your death and passing:) It is so good to have all the wonderful years of your life flooding my memory now, because before all i could think about was that you had died and how sad i was because of it. I am sad that you are no longer with me, but today it is so wonderful to also be able to speak of how much joy and love you gave while you were here.
yesterday was another busy day trying to get all the things done around here before Journey's next competition. Laundry, packing, setting up a house and dog sitter, running errands and taking care of all the loose ends before we go.
I haven't left the house for a few days now except to get a few things from the store, and I haven't found a penny or feather for a while. But last night as I stood out back for a few minutes looking up to the sky, I had this overwhelming feeling deep within that something wonderful was gonna be returned to me that was yours. I can't seem to shake that feeling. So I wait in great excitement and anticipation of what will be.
I am going to share something very special with you now that came to me in am email from one of your old teachers back in the 8Th grade when you were a student at Carmichael middle school. I remember you being in a class where the teacher was supposed to teach a few of you kids that beat to your own drum "how to behave in class. But as it turned out, he ending up loving all you kids in his "Breakfast Club" and didn't want to give you back. He did allow you to be exactly who you were, what a great man. I wish there were more teachers like him in this world, more kids would be better off and go on to turn out to be great young adults, like you son. Mr. Neidhold is now a Richland High school L.A. teacher, Greg had him last semester, and didn't make the connection of you and him being brother until just this week. So here it is. When I read this email, I laughed and cried tears of love.
From Mr. Mike Neidhold:
I think of Nick…and I smile. I had him in the 8th grade at Carmichael…we had a “special” class of young boys who couldn't’t seem to behave in class. The other 8th grade teachers gave them to me and I was supposed to make it so miserable for these boys that they would go back to their original class and behave…just the opposite happened. We came to really respect each other, we made a community in that class, and Nick was a valued member of that crew. I am not kidding, these kids were tough, and all they wanted was someone to believe in them and give them a chance in class at being who they were, not something they were not.
I often speak about my “Breakfast Club” kids at meetings and at seminars I am asked to present. I always think of Nick…we had like 6 of us in there…we ended up running that school…such great memories for me…and the foundation for my classroom today….Nick was proof that you never give up on a kid…ever.
Funny that I just made the connection yesterday, Greg has been in my class a whole semester, and on the last day, I figure it out. Greg has passed our class…he has control of his portfolio, so ask him about that. I keep generic papers in my room…like book reports and such…safe papers if you will…the tough ones belong to the kids, as they keep them pretty safe.
The next time you are in the halls of RHS, stop by and I’ll share a funny story about Nick, thinking about it right now makes me smile!!
Peace to you.
Neid.
My response to his email:
Okay, now you did it!!! I read your email and cried and cried as the story began to unfold and reveal the character that Nick was at that age:)
Tears, tears, tears....He was my "Rebel Boy", but he was still a good boy. Maybe some day I can share with you a little more. He was always pushing the envelope to the edge, but never quite over it. Until that fateful day on Oct. 23rd 2008, when he pushed it to the point of no return:( A day I (Greg & Journey) shall never forget, as we will surely never forget "Our" Nicholas James. He was a unique child. He was very loved, well liked, and was a content and bright baby. I was all of 19 when I first set eyes on this Beautiful Human being, it was love at first touch and sight.
I know I probably shared more than you care to know, sorry!!! It just came out.
What I want to say to you is, THANK YOU for sharing the story of Nicholas with me, it means more to me than you will EVER know...truly. I can't wait to come visit you so you can tell me about the other "funny" story of my sweet boy.
He really did just want those teachers to believe in him, more than that though, he wanted them to "ACCEPT" him for who he was.Sometimes teachers can just be plan mean, uncaring and strict, you seem to have made a good connection with these boys,kudos to you. he was always loved and accepted at home, I loved him the most and with great passion and unconditional love. To me he was perfectly normal, and brought me much joy and could always make me laugh. He always reminded me of an "older soul" if you will. He seemed bored with school after about the 10thTh grade.He ended up being an "Honor Roll" student in 9th and 10th grade, then he wanted to move on with his life. So he took his GED and passed with flying colors and with great ease. He then began his apprenticeship in carpentry, just like his Father. He had a great teacher in 6Th grade, Mrs. Brazier, she was a heavy set African American woman, very sweet woman. I think that was her name, in Federal Way WA. She loved him and Accepted him. I remember she once sent me a note home that said, Nicholas had the most beautiful penmanship in her whole class. My face just beamed. The note was actually written to Nick but sent to his parents. He was so proud of himself, and we were proud of him too, and he knew it.
I guess I could share about my Nick to you...forever. So I'll stop there.
Thank you Mike. Your email made my day. I will be in touch.
Thanks again, have a great weekend.
~Tina, Proud Moma of Nick~
:
The next time you are in the halls of RHS, stop by and I’ll share a funny story about Nick, thinking about it right now makes me smile!!
Peace to you.
Neid.
My response to his email:
Okay, now you did it!!! I read your email and cried and cried as the story began to unfold and reveal the character that Nick was at that age:)
Tears, tears, tears....He was my "Rebel Boy", but he was still a good boy. Maybe some day I can share with you a little more. He was always pushing the envelope to the edge, but never quite over it. Until that fateful day on Oct. 23rd 2008, when he pushed it to the point of no return:( A day I (Greg & Journey) shall never forget, as we will surely never forget "Our" Nicholas James. He was a unique child. He was very loved, well liked, and was a content and bright baby. I was all of 19 when I first set eyes on this Beautiful Human being, it was love at first touch and sight.
I know I probably shared more than you care to know, sorry!!! It just came out.
What I want to say to you is, THANK YOU for sharing the story of Nicholas with me, it means more to me than you will EVER know...truly. I can't wait to come visit you so you can tell me about the other "funny" story of my sweet boy.
He really did just want those teachers to believe in him, more than that though, he wanted them to "ACCEPT" him for who he was.Sometimes teachers can just be plan mean, uncaring and strict, you seem to have made a good connection with these boys,kudos to you. he was always loved and accepted at home, I loved him the most and with great passion and unconditional love. To me he was perfectly normal, and brought me much joy and could always make me laugh. He always reminded me of an "older soul" if you will. He seemed bored with school after about the 10thTh grade.He ended up being an "Honor Roll" student in 9th and 10th grade, then he wanted to move on with his life. So he took his GED and passed with flying colors and with great ease. He then began his apprenticeship in carpentry, just like his Father. He had a great teacher in 6Th grade, Mrs. Brazier, she was a heavy set African American woman, very sweet woman. I think that was her name, in Federal Way WA. She loved him and Accepted him. I remember she once sent me a note home that said, Nicholas had the most beautiful penmanship in her whole class. My face just beamed. The note was actually written to Nick but sent to his parents. He was so proud of himself, and we were proud of him too, and he knew it.
I guess I could share about my Nick to you...forever. So I'll stop there.
Thank you Mike. Your email made my day. I will be in touch.
Thanks again, have a great weekend.
~Tina, Proud Moma of Nick~
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