So very often our focus is on what's wrong in our community or our world and the "what's right" takes a back seat. I wanted to take the opportunity to publicly celebrate the compassion, generosity and wealth of human spirit that has been exhibited by students, staff and others in the Aspen Creek community.

Our beloved sixth grade Science teacher, Mike Romero has been battling cancer since the beginning of the school year. Students at Aspen Creek have rallied around him in many ways, including hat day fundraisers, lemonade stands, offerings from savings accounts and piggy banks, cards, funny anecdotes, and fervent hopes and prayers. Their families have been no less supportive, making their own donations to the Romero Fund, and organizing a gift basket fundraiser in Mr. Romero's honor. Mike's colleagues have also made many efforts, garnering extra sick leave, providing a video iPod to help pass the time during chemotherapy, and most recently helping with their own version of an "extreme yard makeover" at the Romero home (which would not have been possible without generous donations from Pioneer Sand Company, Lafayette Florist, , and Natalie Stone at Ford's Roll Off Services). Mike's journey has taught us all to seize the day, to embrace life, and to meet change, loss and challenges with strength, grace and determination.

We are all better people for having had the opportunity to see first hand how children and young adults from kindergarten through eighth grade can make big things happen. Thanks so very much to all of the adults who have supported their efforts.

An old African proverb states, "He who has help has hope, and he who has hope has everything." A valuable life lesson has been learned and hearts have grown decidedly bigger. When we take the time to look at "what's right," we often realize that we really do have everything.

Sincerely,

Robin Sackmann
Counselor
Aspen Creek K-8