I want to thank all of the Taylor students, staff, parents, grandparents, and guardians for the overwhelming outpouring of love and generosity in response to my wife’s passing on February 7. It had been a long and difficult time for Lynn since she first experienced the symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s Disease beginning in May 2007. She lived 45 months from onset; the typical person lasts from one to three years which is a testament to Lynn’s determination to live a full and productive life. While her passing has been difficult and exquisitely sad, it has also given so many people hope and strength as evidenced by the numerous comments on our Facebook page and on our Caring Bridge page http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lynnbateson/guestbook
As I shared with the students on Monday when I returned to work, I received many wonderful consoling messages from your kids with some delightfully fresh ideas to help ease the pain. Among the more memorable suggestions were to eat ice cream, have a donut, and buy a puppy. Many of the kids shared a time in their life when they had lost a family member or loved one and expressed empathy for our loss. A number simply expressed love and compassion. I shared with some students that we brought all the cards home, spread them on the living room floor, and read them as a family. It was a wonderful time to celebrate Lynn’s life and legacy. Thanks for your support. It is very good to be back to work!
