Ms. Kathy

Amara & Ms. Kathy

Amara got to visit with her previous teacher, Ms. Kathy, last night, who joined us for dinner. And what a thrill that was for her! Amara was a little shy at first but her excitement soon overtook her in numerous ways including reading Ms. Kathy a book in the silliest voice! She was so happy to see her teacher and to know she was was doing well. Amara had been worried about her since the fall, when the school closed.

Ms. Kathy is a remarkable woman, who followed her calling to teach preschoolers. She founded and ran the Children's Montessori House of Pinole for thirty years before she had to close suddenly for health reasons. The sudden loss of her school and teachers was quite difficult for Amara. It broke my heart to see her struggle with the changes that went with lossing her beloved teachers and the environment where she learned and thrived during her third year of life. But this early lesson of sudden change was good for Amara. She knows she can have her feelings, including the difficult ones, and that life goes on. Still, it was not easy.

We had Amara's other teachers, Mr. Joseph and Ms. Jessica, over earlier in the year. Amara is quite fond of those two as well. She still talks about them and what they taught her. My purpose in having them over for dinner was twofold; to thank them for all them have done and to help Amara with closure, something we don't always get in life.

I am thankful Amara got to reconnect with some very special and influential people in her life. Ms. Kathy, Ms. Jessica and Mr. Joseph planted some important seeds in my little girls life. Seeds of patience, seeds of acceptance, seeds of the joy of learning. I am most thankful we were guided to that little school. Amara may have been there a year but what she learned there will last a lifetime.

Mr. Joseph, Amara & Ms. Jessica