Lives Changed

The following is dedicated to Mr. Jack Sodikoff. He is a semi retired chorus teacher who also works with children that attend Olive Middle School in Baldwin Park, California. Each individual that participates in the program and successfully completes the program receives an "Award Certificate".

Special Delivery to Heaven

Ms. Karla Faye Tucker
2398 Inspiration Way
Heaven

Dear Karla:

Although we have never personally met, you left your mark on me indelibly set. A mark of such goodness of a life rearranged, so much so that your death had left me shortchanged.

The fact that you moved me still amazes me, we had nothing in common to bond us you see. Yet I was moved from within, or so it appears, why else would your death slowly drive me to tears?

The answer, dear Karla, were the things that I read. When I researched your life - two things that you said. "People are redeemable" is what got to me, and "I'm doing things wrong, won't someone hear my plea?"

So what led to your acts and your terrible fate? Could you have been stopped before it was too late? Your two haunting statements had me search my soul and to look at kids differently became my goal.

What you said got me thinking, "It's so true" and yet would this truth pass the test with a girl named Lisette? The help that she got was inspired by you and from the beautiful people so close to you too. With backing from Jackie, Henry, and Kari, the burden of work was much easier to carry. Adding Ron and a teacher named Cynthia would bring a support group to kids that meant everything. Lisette came around but she wasn't alone, there were at least 30 more that now stand on their own. Their awards bare your name in all positive ways and they proudly can say, "We're 'KFT TAs'.".

The ripple you started goes on without end and more kids with problems will be on the mend. So maybe we'll all soon be able to say "More lives were saved than lost -- because you passed our way."

Sincerely,

Jack