Good morning, my name is Brian Horne and I have the pleasure of serving as the principal of Rock Creek Elementary School. I am very privileged and honored to share a few thoughts with you about Heide on behalf of the Rock Creek staff. Before I get started I need you all to understand that the things I share today just scratch the surface. As a staff, we have many, many stories and memories about Heide that we have been sharing over the last few days, but there just isn’t enough time this morning to share everything.

The one question I have been asked several times over the last few days is “what would Heide want?” When we have discussed talking with children, parents or getting things in place this question keeps coming up. I am not sure about everything but I am sure of a few things. First, Heide would not want us to be hurting. In fact, she would be embarrassed to see our reaction of tears and mourning. The “deep red” color would be creeping up her neck. I have been told that Heide has quite a collection of turtlenecks and no matter the temperature she would have to wear these on back-to-school nights where she was expected to speak to parents. So what would she want? I think she would want us to celebrate her life. She wouldn’t want us to lose focus of all the joy she brought into our lives.

I have a book I am reading by John Eldridge and in his book he has the following quote: “Of all the things that are required of us in this life, which is the most important? What is the real point of our existence? Jesus was confronted with the question point-blank one day, and he boiled it all down to two things: loving God and loving others. Do this, he said, and you will find the purpose of your life. Everything else will fall into place.” Still quoting, “Somewhere down inside we know it’s true; we know love is the point. We know if we could truly love, and be loved, and never lose love, we would finally be happy.”

I don’t think I could have found a better quote to describe Heide. Heide demonstrated her love for others every day of her life.

She demonstrated her love and care for others in simply everyday actions. Such as she kept a supply of saltine crackers and water in her classroom because she had a concern for her students that if they got low blood sugar they may need a boost to make it to lunch. Heide was affectionately called “Mr. Rogers” by her teammates because she was the one that was viewed as the “gentle spirit.” There was a genuine “softness” about the way Heide related to others.

Heide demonstrated her love by her positive and unselfish attitude. “Attitude is everything” motto I have chosen to live by and on some days it is a challenge to stay positive. Heide could be the poster child for positive attitude. As she was doing battle with her cancer she never stopped to focus on herself. There were days I know good and well she was hurting but she would never let it show. It was too important to her t o be with her students. When all of her beautiful hair fell out she started wearing decorative scarves to cover her head. She was open and honest with her students and wanted them to understand there was nothing to fear and this was normal for someone having these treatments.

Her smile, I don’t have the words to describe a smile that would literally light up a room and take hold of you. The last time I saw Heide was quite by accident. I had taken my son up to St. Vincent’s, at the start of Christmas vacation, for a regular check up. As we exited the elevator to leave there was Heide sitting in the lobby waiting for her appointment. Now you want to talk attitude. First of all I was flashed that beautiful smile and I sat and asked how she was doing. She finally gave me some details, but not before asking if everything was all right with my son. She was carrying an awesome burden and her first thought was to check on the well being of my son. To top it off, she called me later that afternoon to tell me everything was OK and not to worry.

Heide demonstrated love by being such a good friend, always concerned for the needs of others. If I had the time we could go from seat to seat in this church and every single person here would have a special memory of her loving friendship. You could always count on her and she would never let you down.

Her love was daily demonstrated towards her children. I don’t just mean her two beautiful girls at home, but I also mean every single child that sat in her classroom. She wanted the very best for every one of her students. It was difficult sometimes in talking with Heide when she had a concern because it was hard to distinguish her perspective. What I mean is that, to Heide, her perspective as a mother blended tightly together with her perspective as a teacher. She was so invested in the health and well being of her students she took on a motherly role. If there ever was an injustice or a concern I knew I better have a satisfactory answer for her. I am smart enough to know when not to step in front of a mother b ear concerned about her cubs. It didn’t matter if it involved a child going home alone after school or a child not having enough lunch money, she wanted it taken care of.

This love for children also came out in books. Heide was an awesome book collection. Book orders were a must in her classroom and when it came to sharing those bonus teacher points for free books, it wasn’t going to happen, those points were hers and hers alone. Her ideal setting in a classroom would be every child to be happy and content with a book and to be comfortable reading those books in a special space in the classroom. That’s why Heide’s classroom had a number of special spots for children to sit and read books.

Heide’s love was shared. She used this love to fulfill the needs in others and provided others with a wonderful loving example. I know the “WHY?” question has been asked a lot. Why Heide? Why at 39? Why now?

I am not going to attempt to answer the why question. For the simple reason I don’t think it can be answered. I heard a speaker this summer who spoke about our need to always have the answers and to always know the why of the world. He said we have even tried to figure out the Why of God. Remember this is a God who created the heavens and earth. Who put the stars in the sky and created all life. Scientists today still cannot figure out all the complexities that this world has to offer. Now, if God is this great and awesome I don’t think we have chance of figuring Him out. I do know this. This morning Heide is in His hands. I know she had committed her life to Jesus Christ and He is now having the pleasure of enjoying that beautiful smile.

We love Heide and will miss her very much. Thank you for allowing me to share a few thoughts with you.