Lisa and I met when I first came to Pennridge High School 17 years ago.  At that time the special education teachers had the pleasure of having the teaching assistance with us in our self contained classes.  Although Lisa was not assigned to work with me, we ate lunch together everyday in my classroom. I was able to get to know Lisa on a personal level.  I admired her sense of humor, her humbled spirit and her love for her children.  We had a lot of laughs discussing our children and comparing notes since they were the same age as mine.  Together, we fretted about the "teenage age stuff", the heartbreaks, the cost of colleges and our children's future.  We gave each other advice and enjoyed sharing our family stories with each other. As time went on, things changed at the high school and I did not get to see Lisa as often.  There were some years when she was with me in my co-taught class and other years when I only got to see her in the hallways.  Yet no matter when we saw each other, we picked up where with left off.   Catching up on the kids, asking how things were going and having a laugh together.  LIsa was true to herself and was truely a genuine person. She said what she felt and she felt what she said.  I admired her candor and her ability to see things how they really were.  We have lost a very special person. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I will miss her dearly.