Thank you, God ... and thank you, Darla

Editor's note: This is part two of a five-part Thanksgiving week guest column series.

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As we come upon Thanksgiving, it's time for us to pause and reflect on the things for which we are grateful. I am certainly most appreciative for the blessings of my immediate and extended families, my health, my friends and my job. As I think of the many blessings, my sister Darla is also included.

Darla was a normal little sister growing up. She was a pest, a go for (go for this and go for that) and a basketball rebounder for my brother and I, who grew into playing against us in the driveway -- and quite well, I might add. She was a cheerleader early on and then turned to basketball, and turned she did.

She honed her skills at Nell Holcomb School and then went to Cape Girardeau Central High School. Darla had an astonishing basketball career at Central. She was a three-time all-state selection and a Converse All-American her senior year. She continues to hold 17 girls basketball records at Central. Nationally, Darla still ranks third in career field goal percentage -- 66.1 percent -- and is ranked seventh in field goal percentage for one season -- 70.0 percent -- as documented in the National High School Sports Record Book. In both cases she has the longest tenure of anyone on either list.

After graduating from Central, she went on to Central Methodist University and enjoyed a phenomenal freshmen year. Darla was named National Player of the Week, finished second in the nation in scoring at 29.6 points per game and was the only freshman named to the 1989 NAIA Kodak Women's All-American Basketball Team. To date, she still holds six women's basketball records at Central Methodist University, including most points in a season and in a single game. The record breaking single game turned out to be her final game.

During the summer of 1989, Darla was killed as she was traveling to work a basketball camp at Central High School. For those who knew Darla as a person, you probably more impressively -- and most importantly -- found that her basketball prowess was truly secondary.

Her beautiful smile, sincere and gentle personality and zest for life were just a few of the traits that were admired by many. Darla was not able to fully achieve her dreams due to the terrible accident. But, the wonderful legacy of Darla remains through her name, character, spirit and achievements, inspiring others to realize their own dreams through the awards and scholarships provided in her honor and memory: Central High School and Central Methodist University, Darla Pannier Female Athlete of the Year Award; Darla Pannier Scholarship; and the State of Missouri Girls Basketball Hall of Fame Game, Darla Pannier Most Valuable Player Award.

A book was written in her honor and memory: "Making a Difference: The Darla Pannier Story" by Garland Bell. Twenty-one years after she was taken from this world, I continue to be thankful that I was able to be a big brother to a little sister who made a difference in the lives of so many around her.

Darla continues to make a difference today.

I continually miss her with each passing year. But as much as I miss her, I am thankful that God allowed me to be blessed with the presence of someone as special as Darla.

Thank you, God, and thank you, Darla.

Darryl Pannier of Cape Girardeau is the superintendent of Nell Holcomb R-IV School District.