I was in a deeply reflective mood, as I tabled the results. All students who were able to be helped, were able to advance, and what a wonderful feeling that was, for themselves, their teachers, their principal, and for me. It had been a team effort all the way.
When I saw your name on my list four weeks ago, I remembered you right away, from Kindergarten, then Grade One, Grade Two and now here you were, in Grade Five. Still with beautiful, long, dark, wavy brown hair, and a shy, sweet smile.
Teachers remember students for different reasons. I have a tendency to remember the scamps (one Claudio Ippopolito comes to mind!), the students who need more love and attention than others, the super bright ones, the new ones in a classroom, the neglected ones, and students like you, super quiet, almost timid and so undemanding.
You were right beside me first thing every morning for two weeks. We chatted while going down the hall from your classroom to my cubby, and then we went to work. I could tell when you had read the night before, with your grandmother who lives with you, because you did so well. Not many people know how to properly pronounce the plural of eggs, in French. You did!
That Friday morning you were a little quieter than usual. When I asked if you were feeling well, you merely replied that you were tired.
The next day your mom brought you to the hospital because you still weren't feeling well, but you never came home. Tragically, without explanation or reason, GOD called you home.
I can't even begin to imagine the magnitude of your parents' grief, nor the grief of your grandparents, extended family and friends. Your school community, classmates, teachers, all staff... we are devastated, and heartbroken as well. There are no words. There are no answers. Just an ENORMOUS sense of loss.
I immediately went to see a grief counsellor at school Monday morning, exactly at the same time you and I would have been together. I poured out my heart... I cried... and I shared a memory with her, that I have kept since you were in Grade One, four years ago. It is a memory that still makes me smile.
I was in your classroom, helping your teacher by taking a Guided Reading group, which consisted of you and another girl. We had read a story, and when doing a recount, I asked you a question, which the other child answered right away. I should have admonished her gently, but for some reason, I didn't. That is when you quietly reminded me with the following comment... "THAT was MY question Madame, and you let HER answer." I immediately apologised to you and reminded the other student that it had not been her question to answer. Then you added these seven words, which I never, EVER, forgot. "You deprived me of a learning opportunity!" Your comment made me smile, even though were one hundred percent correct! I had indeed done that.
I made a point from then on, of never allowing one child to answer for another. Children may learn from their teachers but TEACHERS also learn from their students. YOU taught me a lesson that day and I want to thank you!
Your dash was short Hana, a mere ten years... 2011-2021. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. You lived, laughed, loved and were loved. You left your mark the short time you were with us. With your words especially, you left your mark in my mind and in my heart... forever... pour toujours...por siempre.
Madame D.
💔
