I love the beginning lines, “Bigger than Santa!”  In seeing the description of Dia De Los Reyes,  the beginning lines of the number one point definitely stands out.  I like to see that this celebration is an extension of the holiday of giving yet, it also has a deeper meaning than Santa as well, which is rewarding.  The feeling that something bigger than us exists is so important, and one of the biggest takeaways you can realize.  I went to get pizza and saw at least 10 boxes of Rosca de Reyes, along with some children’s toys being delivered to the pizza store out of a van, very cool.  I friend of mine took a picture of at least 10 boxes of Rosca de Reyes placed on the internet.  I bought my own Rosca de Reyes a few days ago, and tore into it not being able to wait and sure enough, found a baby Jesus and a star burst image inside.  Whoever gets the slice with the figurine has to host a party on February 2nd or Día de la Candelabria.  Now, I am not sure how fair that is since I was the purchaser, but we will see  🙂

Speaking of things looming larger than us, it is natural and sometimes a bad habit of mine also, to get into a tailspin and be selfish and worry about things that affect me more than they do others.  I do not like particularly for this to occur, yet there is so much around us to remind us that others are in need as well so much more.  I heard some very disheartening news that a former student of mine had recently passed away tragically.  I was always under the belief that if you distantly knew someone, of course you never wanted anything bad to happen, but when it would, it would be like shell-shock and not hurt so much.  I am disagreeing with that sentiment.  As soon as I heard this news, I stopped dead in my tracks and literally just shut down.  I recalled the moments that made this person who they were in my mind, and I was hit with an unseen arrow right through the middle.  Then I realized, how incredibly much all my students have meant to me through the years – I decided to throw myself into their lives and being there for them unconditionally, and just as you realize this years later when they come back to tell you amazing stories of their accomplishments, and you glow in the bask of their success, the harder hit comes when they become hurt.  I did not realize this until this occurred to me so recently, and I have to say, I feel at least 10 years older and just from the news.  Then I received this from also, a former student –

“It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.” – Lemony Snicket

Somehow, in some way, it seems there always is a person out there that can sweep beside you and lay a consoling word, thought, or moment that helps break the shock of pain and part the troubled waters.  Students are amazing, they begin at this category to be subjected to frequent tests, quizzes, hurdles to overcome, life situations to supposedly mold them into a better and more mature person.  Take away all that cover – and underneath in most cases, you have a very amazing and sometimes different sometimes similar resemblance to you – wanting the things life has to offer and taking them and changing them in a form that seems befitting of understanding this world around us.  I have found it often takes another student to help me realize, that the word student is also a synonym for amazing.  Thank goodness I have had a ton of amazing along the way to help me remember that.  😉

Stacey Crockett, you will always be remembered.

SEAFORD-Stacey Joanne Crockett, age 24 of Seaford Delaware became our angel on January 1, 2014, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Stacey was a 2007 Seaford High School graduate where she participated in Field Hockey and Softball.

Stacey worked at Bon Appetit Restaurant as a Server for 8 years where her employers, coworkers and customers adored her.

She had recently joined CrossFit in Seaford where she stole their hearts like she did any other.

Stacey enjoyed spending her time at home with her family, friends and animals, Laney and Cali. Her second home was Bon Appetit. When not enjoying those things, you would find Stacey anywhere a friend needed her. She enjoyed fine wine and great food so you could find her with any number of people, from any walk of life, at any number of places. Her passion was music, and she enjoyed many concerts and festivals. In fact, the Stacey Shuffle was known and loved by her friends. Her kind loving nature and acceptance of all peoples beliefs made her an unforgettable soul.

Stacey made the beautiful choice to be an organ donor at the tender age of 16, and was able to give the gift of life to 6 people immediately and many more will benefit from her selfless donation for research.

Stacey is survived by her parents Tim and Janet Crockett of Seaford, her brother Matt and his wife Jordan and niece Ella Crockett of Greenwood ,her brother Shane Kiser of Petersburg, VA, Uncles Mike and Scott Crockett and his wife Denise, grandmothers Elizabeth Crockett and Alice Kiser, all of Seaford and Uncle Bill and Aunt Cindi Martin of Salisbury, MD. Stacey is also survived by her cousins, best friends Margaret Rolich, Erika Brooke, and Cody Murphy and countless other friends and strangers whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Stacey’s life will be held on Thursday, January 9th at 4 PM at the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department Hall, 302 E. King St, Seaford, DE.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to your choice of the following. Gift of Life Family House 401 Callowhill Street Philadelphia Pa 19123. www.giftoflifefamilyhouse.org for online donations and tribute page. Seaford High Field Hockey Boosters ICO/Seaford High School 399 N. Market Street Seaford DE or CrossFit Seaford 120 Venture Dr. Seaford DE.
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delmarvanow/obituary.aspx?n=stacey-crockett&pid=168958957#sthash.GEbH7a5b.dpuf