September 4, 1990

No, the date in the title is not a mistake. That day twenty-two years ago, the Tuesday after Labor Day just like today, did not start out as one I would want to remember. Originally scheduled to be our first day of school, it instead became the funeral of our beloved principal, Mr. Bill Burke. Two years earlier, Mr. Burke hired me for the only teaching job I have ever had. He poured his heart into his job and always lit up the room with his big smile and hearty laugh. His death on the final day of inservice left a void in our whole district but especially at the Whitewood and Rural Schools. It seemed like a day that I would rather forget until 9:03 that evening when our daughter Kristin was born. The day that had started on a sad note suddenly had a happy ending.  As I write this, that “happy ending” is celebrating her 22^nd birthday with a group of good friends. She is my best reason to remember that day.