"Leap of Faith and into His Will" by Mary LaFrance

There is no easy way to start this post. One that is so very hard to write because the news is fresh, new and very raw. I just learned within the last hour, that a former student I had in Credit Recovery, has suddenly passed away from a seizure disorder. My heart is broken to say the least, but Jesus is still my strength in the midst of the storm.

Let me begin this post by giving you a little background on Garrett. I grew up with his mom Darsi. We had gone clear through school K-12 together here in Washougal. We we friends, not close friends, but knew each other fairly well. His dad Brian, was a motocross racer, handsome, and let’s just say lived on the rowdy and wild side of life.

Garrett had followed in his dad’s footsteps with the rowdy kind of life. Always skipping school, pulling pranks, getting in fights and manipulating anyone who would listen.

Garrett had failed 3 core subjects before his senior year. I became the recipient of him, and 15 other boys in the fall of 2008, to help each of them make up the classes online, in order to graduate. Garrett was a smooth talker, and often tried to get me to help do his online studies, and help him on tests. When I let it be known from day 1, that I had already graduated many moons ago, and would not do his work or the work of any other student for that matter, we bumped heads and the rounds of arguments and fights began. For the most part, I remained calm, cool and collected. Until, one day, the bell rang and the boys knew it was time to get to work. 12 out of the 16 boys in that 4th period class were feisty, rowdy and really took me to the test…no pun intended. I gave them all a 2nd chance to get busy, but the idle chatter and goofing around continued. I had enough! I stood up behind my desk with a ballpoint pen in my hand. I threw the pen down on my desk so hard it shattered all over the place, as I shouted, “What in the hell is going on here? Enough!” I realized quickly, that I had crossed the line, and my demeanor was much less than what Jesus would have wanted. The room became silent. I sat down at my desk, looking down for a minute. Then I stood up, and began with what I needed to say. “I am so embarrassed at what just happened. It was totally unprofessional, and I can not believe I did what I did. I ask you all to forgive me, forgive my behavior, and I would sincerely appreciate it if you could all just start working and give me a break.” They all looked at each other, and even Garrett, got online and began to work. I went straight to the principal after that period and spilled my guts. He thanked me for coming forth with honesty and the apology. He also thanked me for being the strong and firm woman those boys needed. I was relieved that I still had a job.

Fast forward to the Friday morning, before Thanksgiving in 2008. Here we are again, it’s 4th period with what I affectionately called, “My Modern Day Welcome Back Kotter” students. Class had just begun and here came Ann from the office. She asked me to step out into the hall. The administrators were all gone for the day, and one of the boys needed to be told that his father had just passed away from a heart attack. Could I please break the news? What choice did I have?…none. I called Daniel out into the hallway, and gently broke the news. I wrote him a pass to go check out in the office and go home to be with his mother. Within 10 minutes here came Ann again, this time with tears in her eyes. Another student in this same 4th period class, needed to be told his father had just succumbed to cancer. I was going to have to be the bearer of the sad news to him. I called Anthony out in the hall, and again wrote him a pass to the office to check out and go home. By now my emotions were raw and nerves on edge, but I had a job to do. Not more than 15 minutes later, Ann came back yet a 3rd time, this time crying as she hugged me and said, “I can not believe it. Now it’s Garrett’s turn to hear that his dad has died in a single car accident up the gorge on Hwy. 14.” My heart sank as I knew I had to tell him, but how? Garrett was such a tough guy, and would be so very angry. I told myself, “Suck it up and put your big teacher pants on…you’re gonna need them.” I came back into the room, tears in my eyes and the remaining boys looked at me soberly. I asked Garrett to come out into the hallway. He slammed his chair against his desk and came out. I gently put a hand on each of his shoulders and said, “Garrett, there is no easy way to tell you this, but your dad was killed in a single car accident within the last hour. I’m so very sorry for you, your Mom and sister.” His eyes welled up in disbelief, and off he went down the hall running as fast as he could go. I radioed the security officer and told him Garrett was on the loose and probably headed for the parking lot to leave without checking out.

Later that afternoon, here came Garrett walking down the hallway outside my classroom with 2 buddies. I stopped them and asked if I might have a word with the 3 of them. They all said ok. I said, “I’m so sorry for this loss for all of you, especially Garrett. But, I’m going to speak to you now as young men, and not boys. I looked at his 2 friends and told them, “I am going to hold you 2 responsible to help Garrett the rest of this day and into the weekend. Please don’t let him drink and drive, drink at all, smoke pot or do anything else that will hinder his thoughts. He needs to feel the emotions of this loss, and alcohol and drugs will just delay the inevitable. Here is my cell phone number on this paper. If any of you need me day or night, please call me, and I mean it.” They agreed that they would watch out for Garrett and agreed to call if needed. Sure enough, at 1:10 a.m., my phone rang. It was Ryan, sobbing and needing help. He too was feeling the loss and was staying at Garrett’s house. I thanked him for calling. As we chatted I reminded him that death was part of life. I told him I had lost my father when I was 15 years old, so I totally understood their pain. I told him I was praying diligently for them all and if they needed me for anything, just to let me know. He thanked me and promised none of them would do anything stupid.

Monday morning, here came Garrett into 4th period. He said he just couldn’t concentrate, but could we talk. He expressed to me that this was the first death of anyone close to him. He was anxious, angry, confused and so much more. I told him that life during these times is so hard, especially when you are young. I told him if he wanted me to meet him at the funeral home on Wednesday, I would be there. He looked at me perplexed and said, “Mrs. L. why would you offer to do such a thing for me? I’ve treated you horribly, with little or no respect, and yet you stand here trying to comfort me.” I smiled and said, “It’s the right thing to do. It’s what people who believe in Jesus are called to do, to help others in time of need.” He just looked at the ground and shook his head, but thanked me in advance for agreeing to meet him on Wednesday. Wednesday morning, I met Garrett at Straub’s Funeral Home. He looked exhausted, I’m sure from little or no sleep. We walked into the lobby and Chris, the funeral director came out to greet us. I told him who Garrett was and asked if we could use his office for a moment. I led Garrett into that quiet place and sat down next to him. I reached for his hand and asked him for the privilege to pray for him, before he went down the hall to view his father’s body. The dam broke and through his tears he quietly said “Yes.” I finished praying and Garrett took a deep breath and asked me to accompany him to the room. We were about 50 feet away from where his father was laying in his casket. Garrett stopped, turned to me, took a deep breath and slowly walked to the front. His sister came in behind him and joined him there. They hugged each other tightly and sobbed like babies for what seemed like an eternity. I found Darsi in the hallway and she hugged me, thanking me for supporting her difficult son. I told her he keeps me on my toes, and it was my privilege to help him in any way I could.

Graduation Day came in June 2009. Garrett had enlisted with the Marines. He was gonna find out just what growing up meant and in a hurry by joining the military! In December of 2009, Ann called my classroom phone and said I had a visitor. I said, “I’m so busy can they come back another day.” She told me I wasn’t going to want this visitor to go away. Soon there was a knock on my door. When it opened, there stood Garrett, in his Marines dress blues complete with white gloves. He held in his arms a dozen roses, a box of candy and a card and put them on my desk. He said, “I had to come back and visit the one person who made sure I made it to walk across the stage for graduation. I also had to come back to apologize for my horrible behavior towards you and ask you to forgive me.” This old lady’s heart melted at his words and I couldn’t hold back my tears. I said, “Garrett, you have made me use Revlon to cover my gray hair, made my stomach hurt so bad at times, but you make me so proud today, at the young man you’ve become. Thank you for visiting and my prayers are still continuing on for you and your family.” He left with a smile and a proudness to his steps.

I hadn’t seen Garrett since that visit until summer of 2019. I had retired from the school district and began working part-time at one of the local veterinarian hospitals. I was busy working and the front door of the lobby opened. I heard this familiar voice say, “Oh my word, Mrs. LaFrance…what are you doing here?” It was Garrett, with a big 100 pound german shepherd, wife in tow, and still the big smile. He told me about life after the Marines, introduced me to Madeline and thanked me again for being there for him. I saw him several times over the last few years. The last time being last fall.

So, tonight, I ask you all to join me in praying for Garrett’s wife Maddie, his sister Samantha, the niece and nephew, and countless friends who are grieving his death. I come to the Comforter and Healer asking: Heavenly Father, be with the family of Garrett, as they grieve his sudden death. Be with his friends and all who knew him as they too grieve and feel lost and broken hearted. Draw each one closer to yourself, with your comforting arms, grace, tender mercies and unfailing love. Help us all in the coming days to remember the life of Garrett that was lived to the fullest, vivid, fun and loving, and be thankful for his years that he served our country in sacrifice. Let the truth of who you are Jesus be known among the throngs of people and bring about many who will accept You as Savior as they turn to You during their grief. Bless each one now and into the future and cover them with thy precious blood. Thank you Jesus for Garrett and his life…Amen