Vickie

Heartbroken. Crushed. Devastated. Sad. I received a phone call on January 9 telling me Kyler's Kindergarten teacher from his school in Sacramento was killed in a motorcycle accident on January 8. Disbelief. Shock. Denial. Tears. Lots of tears. More tears...

I don't think I can fully put in words how precious this woman was and how much she changed our lives and the lives of everyone she met. She had such a gift for understanding the heart of a child. She could help them in ways they didn't even know they needed help. She could talk to parents and become their friend. She was changing young lives for Christ.

In a school of about 100 students, there wasn't 1 child who wasn't affected by Vickie Altman. Regardless of whether they had her for a teacher or not, they knew she cared about them. She was always surrounded by children. When I dropped Kyler off for school in the morning, kids from all the other classes would congregate in the Kindergarten room just to give her a hug. There are very few people like her.

When we were trying to choose what school to send Kyler for Kindergarten, she was the reason we chose Orangevale Adventist School. I heard nothing but rave reviews from everyone who knew her. And, they were all true. Not one person overstated how amazing Vickie was. Everything people said was true, in fact, maybe even understated.

She helped me gain a better understanding of Kyler and his motivations. He is very misunderstood by most people. She helped me recognize what appeared to be defiance, was actually apprehension of trying new things. That changed everything for us! It decreased my frustration with Kyler because I understood him better. I will be forever grateful for her for taking the time to get to know Kyler and also to educate me.

There were only 6 kids in Kyler's class at Orangevale. Every day one of them would get to be the “student teacher.” On Kyler's last day of school, Vickie secretly arranged with the other kids, for him to be student teacher. That was so sweet. And, at the end of the day, she had a special prayer for him before they said goodbye. She asked the other kids if they wanted to pray also, and each and every one of them took a turn praying for him. I was there for those prayers and it's pretty hard not to have tears rolling down your cheeks when children are praying over your son. One of the students came from a home where the parents didn't pray and didn't really believe in God. But due to Vickie's influence, he was learning how to pray and his prayer was one of the most sincere of the group. Hearts changed for Christ's kingdom!

As word of her death is getting out, the tears are widespread. She impacted everyone she met for the better. Her death is a light in this world that has been put out. However, the lives she affected are testimony to her love and passion. It is our responsibility to pay it forward. We need to spread God's love and joy like Vickie did. That is what she would want us to do.

Vickie, I can't believe you are gone. The world is a darker place without you in it. But I know one day I will see you again in Heaven because Jesus has a special place for you there. Thank you for loving Kyler. Thank you for being my friend. Till we meet again... xoxo

Vickie with Kyler on the 1st day of school

On the 1st day of school

With the class on a field trip to the Fire Station

With the kids on a field trip to
the pumpkin farm

At the pumpkin farm

Vickie and Kyler at the pumpkin farm

Praying over Kyler on his last day of school

Vickie with the class on Kyler's last day of school in December

Kyler with Vickie - the last picture I have of them together
She was such a beautiful person, inside and out!