The tribute I'm about to post was written by a beautiful woman, whose life was changed by one little girl.
Since Dulce's passing, so many people have been worried about her, worried because they were synonomous..."Dulce-Rahn"
They went together like peanut butter and jelly
They went together like eggs and toast
They went together like cookies and milk
-some days it was more like oil and vinegar-but
They went together.
Yin to Yang.
Air to Earth
Fire to Water
Dulce-Rahn
Dulce, we've decided, knew that time was precious and short.
She had an awesome job to accomplish and limited time to get the job done.
I'm so proud of you Chris-this is a wonderful, positive, and uplifting tribute to the extrordinary relationship you shared with her.
"Job well done, Rahn, job well done."
Dulce, we miss you, but our love for you will never die.
Dulce, we miss you, but our dreams for a world where all kids learn won't be darkened.
Dulce, we miss you, but you brought us together.
You made this amazing family a reality.
You.
G-d Bless your heart, honey, your big loud running laughing heart.
I love you
Harry
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Dear Dulce.
Seems a bit unreal that this is happening today. Only for you would I be standing up here in front of all of these people, in a dress no less. How did I know that 6 years ago you would walk, ok run, into Hunters Woods and change all of our lives forever? We weren’t quite sure what to think of you and all your glory!
They say it takes a village to raise a child and I can honestly say that is true.
It wasn’t hard to see why people were drawn to you. You had so many different sides to you, one more different than the next. We could probably go around this room and not one person could repeat that of another.
-Tenacious -Full of energy –Social -Busy –loving –gutsy and nosey could be just a few.
My favorite was that guilty look you had on your face when you were caught doing something you weren’t supposed to, and you fight to protest your innocence or try your best “wasn’t me face” on for size. Sorry, didn’t fit you too well. But mostly you were honest, sometimes to a fault when you got caught.
You made us realize why we chose our profession, why we became teachers. You weren’t an easy child. You were a challenge for us as teachers and human beings to find how to reach you and be the best DW you knew inside you could be. The journey on our way to reach that goal was never boring. I think we would be here all weekend if we tried to tell every story about Dulce. We all have many. It wasn’t a day if you didn’t hear your name being shouted down the hall or heard ”My Mom said” I want a playdate, or our favorite “Sorry!!”
The year you joined Hunters Woods, school and home became a close family. There wasn’t anything that couldn’t be honestly shared between us. Your family wanted to be challenged and to help you grow. We hoped we were up for the challenge.
You didn’t want to be treated different from your peers and were not shy about telling us that. You wanted to talk with your friends, and hang out with them in the bathroom. That made you late, but that made you feel like you belonged. You begged for us to help you learn. We didn’t know what your limits were, you didn’t want any. You didn’t know the meaning of no or I can’t, even on your toughest days.
With the blood sweat and tears (along with therapy bills) your family (home and in school) managed to take you to places that Dr’s never said you’d reach.
You would never talk? You didn’t stop. You had too much to say. Gone were the days you were content to sit and observe; you had lots of time to make up for. I remember talking to your parents and being over the moon that you were starting to talk and we were starting to understand you. Gone were the days we would just nod or say ok to whatever you said, you needed to be heard and understood.
Never write or learn to use the computer? You learned how to use the computer to write up playdate invitations much to the surprise to those around you! This also came in handy when you told us “no” or “sorry” one too many times! Get to writing my friend.
Never Read? You were in such a hurry to move past the ABC’s and picture books and in to reading books. Many doors were knocked on and celebrations had when you hit the a level. And then you demanded Mrs. Holley give you a level 8? Who knew. You did.
You blew into our lives like a tornado and hadn’t stopped running since. What we didn’t know was why you were in such a hurry. You were never really good at keeping a secret, but maybe this one was too important to share. A voice inside told you not to hold back and you took full advantage. You taught us not to hold back, that if we wanted something, we needed to go for it.
I don’t choose to dwell on this as a sad time, rather; I choose to celebrate your life and what you have meant to those all around you. I can’t even begin to tell you how you have changed me as a teacher and a person. You were with me for half of my teaching career and that is something special. Dulce, I like to tell my fellow teachers, especially new ones, that while all children are special, there will be at least one child that will epitomize life and all the challenges that it comes with. That was you. I probably didn’t tell you enough how special you were, but I think deep down you knew. Other teachers may be fortunate to develop a bond so special that it is hard to explain. This was my bond with you, whether either of us liked to admit it. You made me laugh. Cry. Pull out my hair. Amazed. Most of all PROUD. The days you walked in with your hair down, crimped or maybe gelled into a style of your creation, we knew it would be a challenge. Then again, you never took the easy way.
You and I had some adventures outside of school. We went to 5 Guys and you ate my fries, all the while insisting you didn’t want any. Our adventures at Target are still with me today. My favorite memory was when you met my nieces. Only the special people in my life meet them. You had worked hard and had asked so many times. You were so happy and excited to go. Then on the way home you weren’t afraid to point out my issues with directions. I took a wrong turn in Leesburg (we were), and I hear from the back seat, “Rahn are you lost?” Or the time you gave me the directions to your house when I was sure I knew where I was going, when I really wasn’t! But that was you. Never afraid to hold back in what you were thinking or had to say. It didn’t matter if it was in the middle of an assembly, during class, or even in the middle of Target, if you felt something was important enough to share it would be done.
The halls are a bit quieter now, but yet, they are not silent. I smile and like to think Heaven is a bit louder and more lively now. I like to think you have tossed those hearing aids aside, put on your prettiest dress and are enjoying the greatest playdate you ever had. We should all learn to put on our fancy dress and just let it all out for a time!
I told your Mom you are a legacy now. We would be here for days if everyone told a Dulce story full of your antics and thirst for life. We were honored to know you and you will never be forgotten. We are all better people for knowing you and will keep you close in our hearts and minds. Keep an eye on us and we will see you soon.
These words are my thoughts, but I would like to end with yours. Here is the Poem you wrote at the beginning of this year.
Love,
Rahn
