When I feel the world closing in on me, I write something.

My world is not closing in on me.  But I know some folks who have been going through exactly that.  Best I can tell you is they have handled it with a grace that is only admired by most of us.

Oh my.  There is so much conflict within me when I look at this photo.  Letters put together last school year when we learned that our North Harrison colleague, Andy Pavey, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

On a lovely Spring day last year, we gathered for a WALK that was dedicated to Andy.  I was proud to be there.

Those who know me know full well I am usually not at a loss for words.  Some probably wish I was at a loss for words more often.

This is so hard.

Andy Pavey was that positive fabric that could walk into any room and make it a better place.  Most of us dream of doing that.  Andy was that.

I ran into Andy at an Indiana University Football game in Bloomington this past fall.  That was the best moment for me all football season.  I didn’t expect to see him. When I did see him there, everything else stopped.  I wish I had taken a photo of the two of us there talking IU football.

Andy Pavey’s fight with pancreatic cancer ended on January 21, 2023.  To say he will be missed is only a thimble of this loss.

That conflict I have looking at this?  I am just glad that the place that has never gotten around to honoring anyone by naming a facility or a road or a calculator drawer after any of the venerable legends that have worked for the greater good of North Harrison finally got it right.  They got it right for ANDY.  Lets hope these letters hang around for a while.  They mean so much to so many.

Andy, your kids were in school every day this week.  I was proud of them for walking into my classroom.  I left them alone.  It was best.  You’d be proud.  Thank you.

Danny Johnson