The morning after Sydney spent the night at the vet I showed up to school and checked my box. Inside was this book with a little pink sticky tag attached.
John, our Librarian, had found the book and thought I’d enjoy it. Of course he was right. John has a daughter named Hannah and one time, when I had just started working, he accidently sent me an e-mail meant for her. It said to meet him early Saturday morning and not to forget my socks! He signed it “Love, D.” I wondered if I’d missed a Staff Bulletin or something.
On Monday morning – after Saturday passed and I did not bring my socks anywhere – John and I were able to laugh about it. Ever since that day, I’ve called him Dad. It confuses students that overhear us talking, but that doesn’t stop me.
Now, all these years later, as I walked into the office to check my box, feeling sorry for myself and my precious dog, I was shocked at the perfect timing of this gift. Reading through it made me laugh and receiving it from John, who didn’t even know Sydney was hospitalized, made it all the more special.