In Memory of Amanda DeMatto

It is often said that time is the most precious commodity we have on this earth. We all recognize that for every one of us, we have a finite amount of time. The clock starts when we are born and continues to tick away until we are no longer blessed with any more. We all recognize its nature, but often forget to equate it in the grander scheme of our lives. We forget that because the clock continues to tick, everything we do that requires time is an investment that we are giving our lives for. When we decide to give moments of our lives to worry, we are giving our life for worry. When we decide to give moments of our lives to support others, we are giving our life for support. And when we give moments of our life to love, we are, again, giving our life for love. Whatever it is that we give our time to, we give our life for. The culmination of all of that creates the legacy we leave behind upon our final tick.

The final tick for one of God’s greatest creations came far too soon, as yesterday Amanda DeMatto passed away after her battle with colon cancer. She leaves behind a wonderful husband, two beautiful young boys (7 and 3 years-old), two of the most loving parents, a brother who admired her dearly, and a host of family, colleagues, students, and friends that adored her.

Amanda’s life was short, but she understood the value of receiving life by giving her own for others. She gave her life for her husband Bryan by waking each morning with the sole purpose of doing all within her control to love and support Bryan; while empowering and inspiring him to be the greatest man he can be. She gave her life for her children by sacrificing her own desires, needs and best interests to ensure that her boys were always well taken care of because she believed in developing a foundation of love, kindness, selflessness, and respect in her boys. All traits for which they will, undoubtedly, carry with them forever. She gave her life for her family (mom, dad, brother, in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins) where she embraced every opportunity to be with them, to show her love for them, and to invest in them and all of their ambitions. She gave her life for her students, where she recognized teaching was merely a platform for the development of young boys and girls into quality men and women. Often she was praised for providing her students with an open door, open chair, and a classroom full of Kleenex, as she was regularly the one students trusted and confided in in times of despair. Lastly, she gave her life for her friends, where she repeatedly provided guidance, wisdom, encouragement and support to each of those blessed enough to be within her inner circle.

The second is merely a subunit of time. The collection of seconds creates minutes. The collection of minutes creates hours. And the collection of hours creates days. The culmination of these subunits at the end of our road creates our life and our legacy. Amanda chose to cherish these subunits and give her life to the people and causes she valued most – education, development, students, colleagues, friends, and family. Amanda’s legacy lives on as blueprint for each of us at leading a successful life. Value the seconds, invest in what and who you love, and give your life for it. Because when life is a culmination of all of our time here, whatever it is we choose to give time to, we are giving our life FOR. And like seconds in time, we cannot get that back. Your ticks here on earth may have come to an end, Amanda. But the legacy of your ticks will remain in us all forever!

We love you, adore you and will miss you. One of life’s greatest humans is now one of heaven’s greatest angels!

Please consider donating to help with anything for Bryan, Brady and Tucker.