R.I.P Mr. Martin

My beloved principal, Larry Martin, passed away Thursday night from a long battle with cancer. During his chemo treatments he developed pneumonia and could not recover. His family was able to be with him.

I am incredibly said to have lost someone who I held so dear and in such high esteem. Mr. Martin was the man who hired me. He gave a 21 year college graduate a chance. He valued my job and the hard work I put in. He was a listening ear, a soft place to land, and always up for a joke or a prank. He use to tell me that when he won the lottery he was going to build me a subway from Boerne to Helotes so I wouldn't have to drive. That, or get me a driver, but told me I could ride in the front seat since the backseat always makes me nauseous. I asked him if he played the lottery and he said no. Ha! That was Mr. Martin.

He loved his grand kids more than anything. Just ask him about Annabelle, Jody or Hudson and he would light up telling stories. He loved his job. The first one to arrive and the last to leave. He would send me home from games saying he would cover student pick up..."that's why I make the big bucks" he would joke. He also told me I was the best spirit director he had ever met. (He obviously hasn't met too many, but I am honored just the same).

10 years ago Mr. Martin was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. They removed what they could and monitored him from then on. This fall they found that the cancer had come back and had spread rapidly. After taking a 3 week leave of absence, Mr. Martin announced that he would retire on November 30th. It was sad day, but as he said goodbye to the faculty, he had something personal to say to each one. He truly knew everything about everyone on this campus. He was a "man of the people". This man who loved this school, the students and teachers was no longer going to be around. This man whom I have loved and admired was leaving...who would be coming in to replace him? A few days later I walked by his empty office and cried. It was always a place I could go to talk about family, school, whatever. Now what?

The news of his passing came to me at 10:15PM Thursday night. The numbness set in. Some how it was easier to take since he hadn't been on campus for about 2 months. I knew he was in a better place. I knew that Mr. Martin and his family were prepared and at peace with his moving on to something better...heaven. It wasn't until I watched the story David Chancellor, of WOAI, did on Saturday night that I broke down. He showed a clip of Mr. Martin talking about heaven and it hit me that he is really gone. I won't hear that raspy voice. I won't ever see him again on this earth. I spent 5 wonderful years working for and with this amazing man. I am thankful and blessed to have had to privilege to call him my boss and my friend.

To view the news story go to:
http://www.woai.com/content/sportsvideo/default.aspx?videoId=792118@woai.dayport.com&navCatId=16

On the right hand side you will have to find the clip of a man in a blue shirt standing in front of hanging jerseys.

Ecclesiastes 3 says:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance..."