THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502030045
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
I have just come from the Friends Meeting House on Laskin Road following the memorial service for Terrie Timms, who was killed Jan. 21 by a drunken driver. Terrie was remembered warmly by family members and several hundred of her friends during the brief service.
I coach Terrie's two sons, Michael and Matt, on a select soccer team in Virginia Beach, and it is through this association that I came to know Terrie. I echo the sentiments of the memorial-service speakers: Terrie was special, and so are her children. I suspect that the love and devotion Terrie showed for her children has already instilled in them the values and sense of direction that they will need in the coming years.
I begin to think about how often we take for granted our friends and families. Mired down in the demands and stresses of daily life, we seldom take time to stop and smell the roses until it is too late. The events of the past few days have given me cause to stop.
Raised by two educators, I have always been involved with schools and athletics. Rarely, however, have I stepped back to reflect on my role as a teacher and a coach who deals daily with young people. Until today.
I started thinking about the tremendous responsibility teachers and coaches face, as well as the wonderful opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of children. Daily we get to work with students and athletes who trust us to guide and direct them. Often we are one of the main sources of guidance in their lives. Do we give them our best effort?
Regardless of our race, religion or occupation we all have a responsibility to do the most we can with whatever gifts or abilities we possess. No greater crime is there than failing to live up to one's potential. Everyone is not blessed with the same natural abilities, whether in athletics, the arts or intelligence. That is a fact upon which most people would agree. We all have the opportunity, however, to develop our innate ability to the same extent. How well do we do?
Today I asked myself that question, and I suggest that everyone do the same. Are we doing our best? Are we giving our best to our jobs, our friends, our families? Are we achieving our potential? Are we making a difference?
Drunken driving is the crime that caused the recent tragic event. We all need to continue the fight against drunken driving so that more innocent lives will not be lost.
I suggest, however, that a greater challenge exists for each of us: to do our best and to be our best. Anything less would be criminal on our part.
JEFFREY J. STECKROTH
Virginia Beach, Jan. 25, 1995 by CNB