The Worst Day at the Best Job in the World

I love my job. Love it. Even after more than 19 years, I get up happy to go to work every morning. I have the glorious distinction of being able to make my living in the industry that I love, helping artists create great theatre, restoring forgotten palaces of entertainment, making schools better environments for learning in the arts, and building communities through cultural participation. Yea for me!

Today, I hate my job. Hate it. Today I had my third site visit to Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville. It is a simple project; an upgrade to an existing Strand dimmer rack, adding a few surface mounted circuit boxes, and increasing the client's inventory of lighting fixtures to be focused into a useful repertory light plot. David Lindberg, my Audio Specialist, has designed a very nice sound reinforcement system for the music department to complement the lighting upgrade. The customer, the San Ramon Unified School District, is a dream to work with. So why is this the third time I have left this building running to my car in tears?

Let me tell you the story of Devon Marvin. A lovely child of 13 and a half years with gentle nature, quick wit, great smile, and loving personality. An honor roll student, Devon had an affinity for music and literature and a great love for animals - even snails. How do I know Devon? I don't. I can't. She decided to leave this world of her own accord and on her own terms on February 9th of 2008. Why a little peanut with the whole world in front of her would take her own life is absolutely mysterious to me. And since she left no note, it will always be a mystery to all of us. You can see her obituary and sign her guest book here.

Her parents, Scott and Jane, have decided that a proper memorial for Devon is to upgrade the stage on which she used to perform as second violinist at the middle school she attended. I see Scott Marvin at every site meeting. His pain is palpable, and each time he visits the school it is a cruel reminder that he will never again sit in an uncomfortable metal chair, in an acoustically inappropriate room, drink weak coffee, and joyfully listen to his tiny daughter create beautiful music. Scott is often on the verge of tears when I see him and, like Truvy in Steel Magnolias, I have a strict rule that no one cries alone in my presence. Today is the worst day at the best job in the world.

This is not the first loss of a young person to suicide I have encountered this year. My friend Bill Groener, who you may know from PRG and ESTA, recently lost his son, Chris, a mere 19 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Bill raised over $17,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide prevention on June 7th at the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk-A-Thon in New York City. If you would like to learn more about suicide prevention, you can visit the AFSP website.

The Diablo Vista Middle School Project, which has understandably become dear to my heart, is being funded by a memorial fund. Contributions can be made to:

Devon Marvin Memorial Fund
c/o Silicon Valley Community Foundation
attn: Gift Administration,
2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 450-5400

I am headed home now to a glass of old vine Zinfandel, which I will raise to a better tomorrow - for all of us.